Primary schools face a huge shortage of staff to meet the growing demand for childcare before and after official school hours, reports ANP news agency on Monday.

New regulations applicable from this academic year – schools in the southern part of the country went back today – oblige primary schools to provide childcare facilities between 7.30am and 6.30pm.
According to MOgroep, which represents the schools’ childcare sector, at least 8,000 qualified staff are required to meet the growing demand as well as 1,100 locations.
The organisation told ANP that it expects the demand for childcare before and after school hours to rise by at least 20% in the coming 18 months to a total of 120,000 places five days a week.