Social Partners in Education Promoting Decent Workplaces: Third Case Study in Belgium
Published:
From 26 to 27 October 2015, the third case study of the project Social Partners promoting Decent Workplaces for a Healthier Working Life in the Education Sector took place in Belgium. In the project ETUCE and EFEE (European Federation of Education Employers) aim to find concrete ways to prevent work-related stress in the education sector. The case study was mainly organised by the EFEE member Secrétrariat Général de l’enseignement Catholique en Communautés Française et Germaphone (SeGEC).
The study delegation had the opportunity to meet with teachers and school leaders of the lower and upper secondary school Saint Joseph Ciney in Wallonia and the lower and upper secondary school and vocational education and training Institute Vrij Technisch Instituut (Vrij) in Aalst in Flanders. With the aim to provide support for professional newcomers in the teaching profession and to tackle the high rate of teachers leaving the profession prematurely, the two schools have implemented mentoring programmes. Young professionals suffer from high pressure at the beginning of their career and often face difficulties in organising their work, in addressing parents’ demands and other issues. This is often due to the fact that they have not received enough practical training on how to overcome challenges of the profession. The mentoring programmes give teacher novices the opportunity for an exchange with more experienced colleagues on these problems.
During the meeting with the Flemish Education Employers, Katholiek Onderwijs Vlaandern and GO! onderwijs van de Vlaamse Gemeenschap, the study delegation exchanged further ideas regarding the challenges and opportunities on the prevention of work-related stress and psychosocial hazards in education. They had the opportunity to discuss with a representative of the Belgian Psychosocial Risk Unit Department, who gave an overview about the legislation on health and safety at the workplace in Belgium.
The fourth case study takes place in Germany from 2 to 4 November 2015. The reports of the study visits are being translated to enable an exchange between the schools, which participated in the case studies. These reports are to be published and made available on the ETUCE and project partners’ websites.
To read more about the project, please click here.
