Anyone driving through Zuidschermer will notice it: dozens of flags are flying at half-mast in the wind. The village is showing its dismay after the closure of their village school this week. The Michaëlschool had to close due to a teacher shortage. That decision goes down poorly in the village. That is why Evelien Jonk and Silvia Klaver call on their fellow villagers to fly the flag in protest.
‘Closing school is raw, mourning’, reads a sign in the garden of Evelien Jonk (59). “Of course it is not real mourning when someone dies,” she explains. “But we say goodbye to a village school where our heart lies.” Her neighbor Silvia Klaver (38) adds: “And the pace at which it happened really hit us hard.”
With 33 students, the Michaëlschool was one of the smallest schools in North Holland. But the number of students was not the problem. Two teachers and the director quit their jobs and according to the school umbrella organization Blosse is there no suitable replacement found. Something that is disputed by the parents and the participation council.
“They just wanted to close,” the neighbors say. “The way this happened does not deserve a beauty prize. We blame Blosse for that. We have some trying to do everythingbut there just wasn’t enough time.”
Strongly connected
Both women have their roots in Schermer and have both lived in Zuidschermer for years. They feel strongly connected to the village and therefore also to the school. Silvia’s three sons now sat on it and Evelien’s children used to too.
All students have now found a new place at different schools where they will start after the Christmas holidays. They think the group is literally being torn apart. “The cohesion becomes different because the student group falls apart.”
“It’s about the future of our village, our quality of life. The children’s voices we heard there. A place with energy.” According to the neighbors, the loss of the school is a loss. “You will lose the connection,” Silvia fears.
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The impact is felt not only by the children, who lose their friends and daily routines, but also by the village community as a whole. “A village without a school is also less attractive for young families,” says Evelien. “You need that to keep a village alive.”
There are still some facilities in the village: including a café, church and a village hall. “And a gymnasium,” says Silvia. “It is located near the school and is used a lot. From toddler gym to yoga. We really don’t want to lose that room.” Evelien: “We want to keep what little there is. Also to remain self-reliant so that we don’t have to be outside the village for everything.”
Mourning flags as support
What has now happened to Zuidschermer is happening in more villages. “Look at Grootschermer, where the school is now in danger of closing. Our mourning flags are therefore also intended as support for them. We want to protect Grootschermer against this,” says Evelien.
“Fortunately, the municipal council is now – in time – aware of what is going on there and hopefully they can still do something for the Driessen school,” Silvia wishes. But it is too late for the Michael School, although the neighbors still have a little hope.
“We understand from the municipality, the owner of the school building, that the school function is not disappearing yet.” But what this means for the future of the school building is still unknown.