“Too few schools and too many students”

Every day 200 students visit the Office of Education Inspection to find a spot at a school for secondary education senior level. Steve Rudge, chairman at the Inspectors’ Union, pointed out that 90% comes by to find a spot during the regular enrollments. Rudge explained that there are too few schools and too many students which is why finding a spot for the students is not always easy. He also explained that finding a spot for students at junior level secondary (Mulo) schools is easier than finding a spot at schools for vocational training. Students who still have not been enrolled visit Education Inspection every day with the hope of finding a spot at one of the nation’s high schools that is preferably close to their home. Education Inspector Rudge pointed out that 200 numbers are handed out every day and that this many students keep visiting Education Inspection until mid November. “Some of the schools can be very difficult when it comes to re-enrolling students who have failed a grade twice but thanks to good consultation between the inspector and the school principal, the principal agrees to re-enroll the student. Students who have reached the age of 18 and who are still in the first or second grade of the Mulo or LBO are referred to a night school or an evening school in consultation with the parents. But not all parents want that. They prefer to let their child stay at a morning school,” said Rudge who added that one can’t put those children in a class with 12year old and 13yearold children who just graduated from the primary school. The chairman pointed out that “every year we have to deal with the problem of finding a spot for students.” “We, the inspectors, work very hard and hope that the minister will spare no efforts in granting our wishes,” said the chairman who added that the inspectors and the minister are still on speaking terms. The Mandatory Education Act clearly states that the government is required to make sure that compulsory students go to school.