Amsterdam primary schools stop hiring external teachers

Primary schools in Amsterdam will stop hiring external teachers, such as self -employed people and temporary workers. This is reported by the ANP news agency. The schools have agreed that they will only use masters and teachers who are permanently employed. According to the schools, which have united in the broad administrative consultation (BBO), that is better for the quality of the lessons.

The decision applies to all public, special and special primary schools in Amsterdam, Weesp, Diemen and Duivendrecht. The hiring of external teachers will not stop immediately, but gradually be phased out, so that schools have the time to adjust. Hired teachers can be offered a permanent employment contract.

The primary schools in Amsterdam together have more than 4,600 full -time jobs for teachers. About 5 to 10 percent of this is filled in by external teachers. That amounts to around 200 to 500 jobs. In neighborhoods where the teacher shortage is larger, that percentage is even higher. According to the schools, those hired teachers have less bonding with the school and other teachers and therefore take on fewer responsibilities.

This costs the schools millions of euros annually, they say. « Every euro that we save on external hiring, we can put into the development of our own staff. With permanent teams, we can distribute responsibilities fairly and children can more often have a trusted face for the class, » explains BBO director Arie van Loon to ANP.

According to the Amsterdam alderman Marjolein Moorman, who is about education, the decision of the primary schools will ensure ‘more peace, quality and equal opportunities’. To ANP she says she is « right behind the race » of the schools. « Every child deserves a familiar face for the class and a teacher who is connected to the school, » said the alderman.

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