Vlir criticises teaching studies in adult education

According to statistics from the cabinet of education minister Hilde Crevits, 1,952 students followed teacher studies at a university last year, compared to 9,425 in adult education. In 2009, the universities had 2,140 students compared to adult education’s 8,314.

The evolution is the result of a reform in 2007 that resulted in teaching studies at both groups of institutions leading to the same diploma.

According to Rik Torfs, rector of the University of Leuven (KU Leuven), the trend has damaged the image of teaching as a profession. “At the university, students learn how to teach a course on the basis of scientific research,” he told Het Nieuwsblad. “More and more students are attending adult education because it’s easier to get a diploma there.”

Vlir is asking the government to make universities the only institutions allowed to provide Master’s degrees in teaching. Vlir also suggested replacing half of the internship period with a partnership programme in which experienced teachers would mentor new teachers, which it says would help reduce the number of teachers abandoning the profession soon after starting.

Stephan Devreese of Kisp, the largest CVO in East Flanders, refuted the idea that adult education has a lower quality threshold. “Education here is not easier,” he said. “It’s just more flexible.” Students at a CVO, for instance, can follow classes during the day, in the evening or request a combination of the two. “The teachers’ studies at universities are also too theoretical,” added Devreese (pictured).

Crevits’ office said that teaching studies at universities did need to be bolstered, possibly through re-organisation. A decision will be taken in the coming months.

Photo courtesy avondschool.be