1/2 Luca teaches language, but also helps with math (photo: Collin Beijk)
At Kindcentrum De Discovery in Den Bosch, teachers and masters are not always in front of the class, but also students from group 5. Lana, Luca, Marit and Goof give math, language and drawing lessons to children in groups 3 and 4. “Normally we already know which teacher we will get next year, but not now because of the teacher shortage,” says Lana. “That’s why we wanted to help.”
Teacher Lieke Somers is very proud of her students who are now teaching. “They came up with this all by themselves because they heard about the teacher shortage.” The fact that older pupils help the younger ones is not new at the Jenaplanschool. “That is really part of our education here and that is why several groups also sit together in a classroom.”
“Of course it’s not a permanent solution, but it helps.”
According to Miss Lieke, the fact that the four students are now teaching their younger schoolmates helps a bit. “Of course it is not a permanent solution for the teacher shortage here, but we can certainly use the qualities of the children now.”
Standing in front of the class is not for everyone and that makes the teacher extra proud. “When I see how they prepare, stand in front of the group and explain things. Hats off, very clever!” After nine-year-old Lana’s explanation, she walks through the classroom like a real teacher to help students and answer questions. To be sure, there is always a real teacher nearby.
“It felt a little crazy.”
‘Math teacher’ Lana actually didn’t expect the school to approve her idea. “It felt a bit strange when I first taught, while I’m still taking lessons myself. Now it feels more normal,” she says a little shyly. But when Lana is in front of the class, she stands there with confidence. “I’m not sure yet if I want to be a teacher when I grow up.”
Lana teaches math and explained bar charts to groups 3 and 4. “I’m not very good at spelling, but I am good at math.” Six-year-old Sophie proudly shows her completed bar chart. “I do think that Lana can become a good teacher later on, but I think my own teacher is even better. She teaches slightly differently,” she says.
“We only teach what we are good at.”
Luca takes care of the language lessons together with Goof. “It’s a lot of fun to do, although I found it a bit exciting at the beginning.” Luca took a dictation. “We only teach what we are good at and if we like it,” he says. He does not see himself going into education, but would like to become an architect.
School director Anja Thijssen is just as proud as Miss Lieke. “We really encourage children to come up with ideas themselves. If the teacher shortage is discussed here at school, in the Youth News and perhaps also at home, then something so beautiful can arise.”
“We will definitely continue with this.”
“For me, after 43 years of education, this is the icing on the cake, which gives your children the confidence to be able to do this,” says the director. “We have never let children use their own talents like this before, but we will certainly continue to do so.”
