Flemish teachers meet Education minister to discuss workload

A total of 124 teachers from primary and secondary schools across Flanders met Education minister Zuhal Demir on Saturday at the first-ever Flemish Teachers’ Council.

The meeting focused on reducing teachers’ administrative workload. Demir said she wanted to listen to teachers’ concerns and use their ideas to improve working conditions.

More than 2,300 teachers applied to take part, but only 124 were selected. Participants said they hoped the discussions would lead to real changes in schools.

Teacher Lieselot Simoens said the workload could be reduced significantly and argued that education reforms are being introduced too quickly. She called for more time to consider the future direction of education.

Demir said teachers should be able to focus on their main job: teaching. She promised to consider the council’s recommendations and work on solutions.

A second Teachers’ Council is planned for 12 September. Future discussions may include the pace of education reforms and the introduction of new learning targets, which will begin in nursery schools and the first years of primary education from September. The new targets will place a stronger focus on Dutch language skills and STEM subjects.

^{#FlandersNewsService | Flemish Education minister Zuhal Demir during the Flemish Teachers’ Council © BELGA PHOTO TIMON RAMBOER}