Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Teachers at Ak’Cent primary school protest education changes by wearing red, using the slogan “har(d)t voor onderwis” to show their love for teaching and frustration with tough conditions. Teacher Nancy highlights concerns about new rules, pensions, and difficult classroom environments.
Teachers at Ak’Cent Primary School in Bever are unhappy with the government’s education changes. Instead of striking, they decided to wear red clothes to show their feelings. This action is close to Valentine’s Day, so they used the slogan “har(d)t voor onderwijs.” Officials mentioned that this phrase shows their love for teaching and their frustration with tough conditions. They also asked students to wear red.
Why are teachers wearing red and what changes are they protesting?
Teacher Nancy spoke to her colleagues about their red clothing. She said the government is making new rules that will make life harder for teachers and schools. She mentioned that this peaceful protest is meant to show the challenges teachers face. By choosing this way to protest, they want to start discussions with lawmakers and the community about the future of education.
“The government has very tough measures in store for education. Red is the colour of anger and love,”
Says teacher Nancy.
“That’s why we wear red with a heart, because we have a heart for education, but society is tough on us.”
Teacher Nancy is against the coalition agreement because it affects education. She remembers when teaching was a good job that let her balance work and family life. A big reason was the security of a good pension. Teachers do not get extra benefits like bonuses. Now, with the new agreement, there is worry about teachers’ pensions. Many wonder if they will have to work longer before they can retire.
Nancy and her colleagues feel that their stability is disappearing. This makes them unsure about their money and if they can keep teaching for many years. They mentioned that the decline in working conditions also makes teaching a less appealing career than before.
Nancy sees big changes in classrooms today February 13, 2025. She mentioned that students are more diverse, which means teachers must meet many different needs. There are also more aggression and behaviour problems from students. This makes classroom management difficult and tiring.
Teachers have to take on many roles, like social workers and counselor, without enough training. Nancy thinks it is unfair to expect teachers to work until they are 67. The job is too demanding and takes a toll on their health. She fears that if things do not improve, more teachers will leave, causing a bigger teacher shortage.
“Society has also changed so much. The children in our class have become very diverse, there is also more aggression and there is a lot more to it. And then I don’t think this can be sustained until the age of 67,”
Says teacher Nancy.
