Urgent Call for Change: Belgian Teachers Strike in Brussels

Today (24/04/24), the streets of Brussels were filled with more than the usual hustle and bustle; they were alive with the determined steps of teachers. These educators were not heading to their classrooms but were instead protesting in the heart of the European Union. Their collective action is a powerful statement of concern and a demand for immediate attention to the pressing issues facing the education sector.

Why are Belgian teachers protesting?

The protest was a direct response to deep-seated frustrations within the teaching community. Here are some of the reasons:

?? Teacher Shortages: Chronic shortages of teachers are affecting both Dutch-speaking and French-speaking schools across Belgium. This has led to secondary schools cancelling or modifying exams and even closing classes due to insufficient staff.

?? High Dropout Rate for New Teachers: Many new teachers are leaving the profession early, which impacts the stability and continuity of education.

?? Increased Mental Health Issues and Burnout: Teachers are experiencing higher levels of stress, mental health issues, and burnout. The demanding workload and challenging classroom environments contribute to this problem.

The protest aimed to unite teachers across language borders and education levels, emphasising the importance of education and advocating for better conditions in the education sector. It’s the first national protest by teachers in Brussels since 1996, as all nine Flemish and French-speaking education trade unions (ACOD Education, CGSP-Enseignement, SEL-SETCA, CSC-Enseignement, COC, COV, VSOA, SLFP, and APPEL) have called on teachers to strike and protest in Brussels. They hoped to make their voices heard before the June elections. ??

These educators are standing in solidarity, not just for themselves, but for the future of education. Their message is clear: the time for change is now and they want concrete solutions. As they made their voices heard, it's evident that these challenges are not unique to Belgium.

Overwhelming Workloads: The UK Perspective on Teacher Burnout

The UK's educational challenges mirror those in Brussels, an Octoped survey found that 65% of UK teachers said they were overwhelmed by issues with time management and paperwork.?

As a result, many teachers burnout and quit, which is why 60% of educators said they had problems with staffing resources and retention.

This instability makes it harder for headmasters and principals to implement long-term strategies, which can result in many other problems, such as behavioural issues (44%).

It’s a toxic cycle that we have been studying closely and exploring how the innovative use of technology in education can help.

Octoped: A Solution in the Making

With a suite of tools designed to alleviate the administrative burdens and enhance the educational experience, Octoped is poised to address some of the very issues at the heart of these protests and help the United Nations Office for Sustainable Development (UNOSD) achieve its goal of quality education by 2030. Here’s how:

1. Automated Attendance Tracking: Time-saving attendance recording.

2. Automated Grading System: Efficient grading to focus on student needs.

3. Streamlined Communication: Clear, direct communication channels.

4. Actionable Data Insights: Real-time insights for tailored teaching methods.

5. Professional Development Resources: Resources for educators to stay current.

6. Simplified Document Management: Easy document organisation and management.

7. AI-Powered Lesson Planning ("Jackie"): Time-saving, responsive lesson planning.

8. Collaborative Tools: Enhanced collaboration for an engaging learning experience.

By tackling the core issues raised by the protests, Octoped empowers educators to focus on their primary mission: teaching and nurturing students.

Join the Octoped Team: A Call to Action

Octoped is on a mission to revolutionise education through technology, but this vision requires a collective effort. We are actively seeking visionary co-founders, policymakers, and headmasters who are as passionate about EdTech as we are.

With the designs ready, we need a CTO and a dedicated team to build a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and raise the necessary funding to bring Octoped to schools worldwide. Together, we can create a safe and ethical educational environment that meets the needs of teachers, students, parents and headmasters.

If you're ready to make a difference and join a transformative journey, let's connect. Direct message me if you're interested in talking further.

Octoped is not just school community software; it's a partner in education, striving to mend the cycle of burnout and dissatisfaction. Let's work together to build a future where technology serves as a cornerstone for educational excellence.

Visit www.octoped.ai to find out more.