Day of the Director: “rather support than a pay rise,” says director in Bredene

Day of the Director: sounds festive, but that is anything but, says director Gunther Vanmassenhove of GO primary school De Zandlopertjes in Bredene. “Celebrate is a big word. It’s not really a party, because more and more, year after year, I have to find that it is indeed not a party, the director’s day.”

Directors often receive calls at 7 am. Teachers drop out or parents have problems. It’s a long day for the school coach.

Pay raise

Minister Ben Weyts wants it to pay better to take on the extra tasks. About 4,000 directors now receive an extra 150 euros per month. “In fact, it’s not the pay rise that interests me,” Gunther testifies. “I don’t think any director was waiting for that, but for a package of supporting measures.”

Flemish Representative and Breden mayor Steve Vandenberghe came to support the school and the director by giving an hour of teaching. Vandenberge himself was once a director and he now sits on the education committee. He has been complaining about lack of support for years.