WILLEMSTAD - The teachers’ union DOEN is urging Minister of Education, Sithree van Heydoorn of the MFK party, to deliver concrete solutions by Monday, August 14th, addressing the pressing concerns within the education sector. Marbella Felipa, President of the DOEN union, emphasized the significant inequality among educators that needs immediate attention.
In a meeting held on Monday evening, educators gathered under the banner of the union to deliberate the challenges facing the education landscape. A central issue discussed was the contentious 27-hour standard, which is exacerbating disparities in education. Felipa expressed, "While teachers at VSBO schools are obligated to conduct 32 contact hours, their counterparts at havo schools are held to 27 hours, all while receiving equal compensation."
Another critical concern raised pertains to the issue of unfulfilled teaching hours. Felipa elaborated, "This translates to an inadequate allocation of hours for certain subjects by the close of the academic year."
In response to the educational sector's predicaments, encompassing insufficient instructional hours, the controversial 27-hour norm, and working time conditions, Van Heydoorn relayed his stance via his secretary-general on Friday. However, DOEN reported that the minister's response lacked definitive solutions for these challenges. The union is eagerly awaiting when Van Heydoorn will offer concrete remedies to these issues.
DOEN holds optimism that educators will assemble at the DOEN headquarters on Monday, anticipating the minister's forthcoming proposals to address these pressing concerns.