Teachers strike today in French-speaking schools

A teachers strike is taking place on Tuesday in French-speaking schools in Brussels and Wallonia, as educators aim to raise awareness about budget cuts, a lack of job security and shortages in the field.

Laura Morales, a primary school teacher in the Forest neighbourhood of Brussels and member of the Regional Executive Board of the CGSP-Enseignement Brussels union, told RTBF that many of the issues that teachers face are systemic and require more sweeping reforms in education as a whole.

“The more time goes by, the more I ask myself if this is the kind of teaching I want to work in, and if this is the kind of teaching I want for my children,” Morales said, noting in particular the end of tenured teaching appointments - which are for life.

“Initially, this seemed to be a measure to enhance a profession in short supply. But in reality, the job security that we had is being totally called into question. For young teachers starting their studies, the appointment was a form of security. And in the middle of the course, they are told that the rules are changing.”

Morales also criticised reforms in the educational sector that allow people from non-teaching professions to transition to a teaching career – a measure intended to help address shortages particularly in STEM fields - science, technology, engineering and maths - that she said could jeopardise teacher training.

“Teaching is something you learn,” said Morales. “Being a teacher isn't just about speaking in front of a class, it's also about understanding how pupils learn, how to motivate them and support them.”

Apart from criticisms regarding recent reforms, Morales also noted an increased workload for teachers, especially when it comes to administrative tasks.

“Every year, new administrative tasks are added and in the end, we spend so much time on this that we no longer have time to think and offer quality lessons to the children’,” said Morales, adding that the result is often teachers spending more time working outside of their designated hours.

“We're not on strike because we don't feel like teaching, but because we care about our children's education,” she added.

“We're heading for a system that deconstructs everything we've tried to put in place and that will increase the gaps between pupils even more.”