State Secretary Mariëlle Paul (fundamental education and emancipation): “Many teachers want to work extra hours, but often need a push to take that step. Therefore, I want to make working more hours more attractive for those who want and can. Increasing the number of hours worked not only reduces the teacher shortage, but also ensures that a familiar face is more often in front of the class. This way, not only the teacher benefits from working more hours, but especially the students.”

In primary education, about 7 out of 10 teachers work part-time. Research shows that about 25% of those part-time teachers are willing to work an extra day (0.2 FTE) if there is a bonus in return. This can be extra money, but also non-financial extras like more flexible working hours, more leave, or other tasks. A small-scale pilot to encourage more working hours also showed that teachers particularly want this customization.

The potential contribution to combating the teacher shortage with customized extra hours is theoretically large. If all part-time teachers in primary education with a teacher shortage who want to work an extra day actually do so, it could yield around 1,600 FTE. The current shortage in primary education is 7,700 FTE. Even if only a few percent of those part-time teachers work more, it still leads to a substantial reduction in the teacher shortage, with several hundred FTEs.

Therefore, the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science is starting a follow-up pilot to see what the actual potential of customized extra hours is in practice. Teachers at participating primary schools can choose from multiple options: a cash amount on top of the salary for working an extra day, more flexibility in the work schedule, more leave outside school holidays, money for childcare, or performing other non-teaching tasks. Schools can apply for the scheme starting July 1. A total of €15 million is available for this. The pilot starts next year, lasts for 3 years, and will be scientifically monitored to develop proven effective interventions.

The Ministry of Education, Culture and Science also encourages working more hours in other ways. For example, it can become a fixed part of the conversation cycle between school leaders and teachers. These conversations often reveal that more is possible than thought. Another option is a availability allowance: teachers receive a cash bonus when they are available on a day they would normally be off, to cover absenteeism.

Increasing the number of hours worked is one of the ways to combat the shortage of teachers. The cabinet is doing everything it can for this. Last year, more than 2,200 lateral entrants applied for the lateral entry subsidy. More than 900 current educational support staff also receive financial support for teacher training. Furthermore, earlier this year, a campaign was launched to get potential lateral entrants and students excited about a job in primary and secondary education and vocational education. Additionally, a nationwide network of educational regions has been established this year. In this network, schools, teacher training programs, municipalities, and educational staff work together to address staff shortages.