Education networks call for better conditions for school principals
To address the high turnover rate of school heads, two of Flanders’ education networks have called for reforms to improve the conditions of the position
Fixed-period contracts
Lieven Boeve, head of the Catholic education network (VSKO), and Raymonda Verdyck, managing director of the community education network GO!, have called for the introduction of a mandate system, under which principals would be appointed for a fixed period of time. This would improve job conditions for principals and adjunct principals, they argued.
“This would allow a principal who has worked, say, 10 years to say: ‘Look, I’ve had enough of this co-ordinating position; I’d now like to return to teaching’,” said Boeve (pictured), adding that most principals are typically employed under indefinite contracts or they have tenured positions.
Boeve and Verdyck also called for better remuneration and assistance, so that heads can focus on their core educational responsibilities, like coaching teachers, instead of administrative and technical matters, like fixing leaky pipes.
According to recently released figures from education minister Hilde Crevits, about 40% of schools will start the upcoming year with a new principal. Many principals quit their positions after just a couple of years due to the multiple responsibilities and sheer number of hours.
Photo courtesy Katholiek Onderwijs
