Retired teachers may, under certain conditions, continue working in education until the age of 62. According to Minister Dirk Currie of Education, Science and Culture, the Council of Ministers has granted permission for this. Government dispensation is required for employment after retirement.
According to Currie, the application procedure for retired teachers who wish to return to work is going well. However, the administrative processing requires attention. If the necessary permission is not arranged in time, there is a risk that salary payments will be interrupted.
Under the agreements made, the ministry must begin the procedure for an extension or dispensation at least six months before the current term expires. Teachers themselves decide whether they want to continue working after retirement.
When working after retirement, the teacher receives, according to Currie, both the pension to which he or she is entitled and a salary based on an employment contract. This work does not lead to a further increase in the pension basis.
According to the minister, the situation differs when a teacher continues working longer before retirement. In that case, the pension basis can be increased.
Currie wants a different appreciation for vocational education
The minister also advocates a change in society’s view of lower vocational education (lbo). According to him, parents often choose mulo on the assumption that vocational training has less value.
“Parents often want their child to attend a general education school. This has to do with the perception that an lbo school is inferior,” Currie said.
He stressed that lbo prepares students for a trade and offers opportunities for them to further develop within vocational education. According to the minister, that role should receive greater recognition.
