Education minister Ronald Plasterk, the teachers’ unions and school management boards reached an agreement on Tuesday evening which will give teachers a substantial salary increase over a three year period and tackle the looming staff shortage.

Plasterk has promised an extra €700m each year until the end of this government period in 2011, according to NRC Handelsblad. The money will be used to increase salaries in secondary schools, where the greatest shortage is expected, by an eventual €500 a month.
In addition, teachers and support staff will receive a bonus of €200 each year on the Day of the Teacher on October 5.
The salary increases will be achieved by allowing teachers to progress more quickly through the salary grades. In primary schools they will be able to reach the top grade in 15 years and in secondary schools in 12 years, instead of the current 18 years.
Teaching union AOb says the agreement represents ‘a step in the right direction but not a definitive solution to the teacher shortage’, says the NRC.