Nearly all teachers pay for supplies themselves

The survey of 695 teachers showed that teachers invest an average of €260 in school materials over the course of an academic year, €93 of it in the first month. “The operational resources for primary education are no longer indexed, and it is becoming increasingly difficult for schools to make ends meet,” said COV general secretary Marianne Coopman. “So teachers invest themselves to provide quality materials.”

According to COV, the operational resources for ICT materials are also no longer adjusted to current needs. The union has called on the government to stop budget cuts and invest more in the quality of primary education.

Flemish education minister Hilde Crevits told public broadcaster VRT that, while she admires teachers’ commitment, it’s unacceptable that they have to buy basic materials such as staplers themselves .

She says schools get enough money per student to be able to afford the basic materials, though she admits there have been tough budget cuts. She promised to provide extra support as soon as there is sufficient budgetary scope.