Sharp rise in student numbers for teacher training in Flanders

The number of new students enrolling in teacher training at Flemish universities of applied sciences has risen sharply this academic year. A survey by Belga among six major institutions shows an overall increase of around 10 per cent, with some courses seeing growth of up to 30 per cent.

Last year, about 7,260 new students began teacher training. This year the figure has climbed to 7,980. Growth is seen across all levels: nursery, primary and secondary education.

Primary education, where staff shortages are particularly severe, recorded steady gains. For example, enrolments at Karel de Grote Hogeschool rose by 8 per cent, while Thomas More reported a 15 per cent increase. According to Thomas More’s Katelijne Van der Pas, the renewed interest reflects growing public appreciation of teaching: “Knowledge is the greatest gift you can give a pupil,” she said.

In secondary education, results are mixed. While Odisee Hogeschool saw numbers fall by 18 per cent, AP Hogeschool Antwerp registered a 30 per cent surge in its fast-track bachelor programme for career changers.

The most striking rise is in nursery teaching. Vives campuses in Kortrijk and Bruges reported increases of 24 and 13 per cent respectively, while AP and Artevelde both noted gains of around 20 per cent.

The figures are encouraging news for schools, which still face shortages of over 3,700 full-time teachers, according to recent government data.

^{#FlandersNewsService | © BELGA PHOTO ERIC LALMAND}