Education expert suggests a pay bonus system for teachers
A UGent professor and OECD education specialist says that the image of the teaching profession would improve with financial incentives for working in challenging schools or taking on extra tasks
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In the coming months, stakeholders in the education sector will collaborate to establish a new career pact, meant to add value to the teaching profession. According to Van Damme, a flexible wage system could help. “Specific financial incentives can play a big part in boosting the profession,” he told Radio 1.
Van Damme, also a professor at Ghent University, proposes a bonus for teachers in “difficult” schools in Flanders, such as in the “concentration schools”, which house many youngsters of foreign origin and from vulnerable social backgrounds. Brussels already offers bonuses for working in these schools.
“In Flanders, it’s not always the most experienced teachers working in the schools with the most challenges,” said Van Damme, “which is a big problem. Many new teachers start but quickly look for work elsewhere.”
Wage increases should also be reformed, said Van Damme. “There are only two levels of worker: teaching staff and the board of directors,” said Van Damme. “The wage only increases according to seniority.”
The education networks are not rejecting the ideas but emphasise that the career trajectory has to be examined in its entirety.
Photo courtesy onderwijs.vlaanderen.be
