Hasselt Teachers, Led by Caroline Defraine, Garner 5,000 Signatures Opposing Project

Hasselt (Brussels Morning Newspaper): Teachers at Virga Jessecollege, led by Caroline Defraine, raised concerns about a project, submitting a petition with 5,000 signatures. A decision will be made on December 3, with 45% of parents potentially leaving if the plans proceed.

Teachers at Virga Jessecollege, led by Caroline Defraine, expressed their concerns about a project in an open letter, urging a fresh start that includes everyone. They submitted a petition with over 5,000 signatures to the school management. Afterward, the board held a meeting with some teachers to discuss their worries. Tom Cox noted that while the conversation was positive, he did not comment on whether it would influence the upcoming decision on December 3, leaving it to the board to decide.

What are the community concerns surrounding the Virga Jessecollege project?

Teachers at Virga Jessecollege found their recent discussion productive, with Wim Ballien expressing concerns about a large project that could harm students, teachers, and the local community. A decision will be made in a week, with Kristof Van Were highlighting that the timing is strategic due to potential funding for school renovations. He noted that the upcoming exam period starting December 4th makes it challenging for teachers to act, as they want to prioritize their students during this time.

According to Van Were, the project has been discussed for six years, and, parents are only now being asked for their opinions. A survey showed that 45 percent of parents might leave Kindsheid Jesu if the plans happen. Cox noted that talks started in 2018 and continued during Covid, but not everyone feels included. They are trying to involve representatives to hear all voices.


Comments

2 responses to “Hasselt Teachers, Led by Caroline Defraine, Garner 5,000 Signatures Opposing Project”

  1. So, 5,000 signatures against a project that’s been in the works for six years—sounds like a classic case of “shoulda, woulda, coulda,” eh? 🤔 Maybe next time they’ll consult the parents before deciding on a renovation that could send half of them packing! 😂

  2. Seems like the teachers in Hasselt have finally discovered the power of petitions—5,000 signatures, eh? I guess that’s one way to make the board feel like they’re running a democracy instead of a school! 😂📚

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Last News

Understanding Freedom of Religion

Understanding Freedom of Religion

A government can violate a fundamental right without outright banning a religion. It can exert pressure on minority faiths through zoning laws, deny registration, unjustly remove children from their parents, criminalize peaceful worship, or stigmatize believers until public life becomes hostile. This makes the question of what constitutes freedom of religion central to democratic accountability,

Read More

Montenegro Nears the Final Stages of EU Membership

Montenegro Nears the Final Stages of EU Membership

Podgorica has completed 14 of the 33 chapters required for provisional closure before joining the bloc. The rule of law remains the most challenging obstacle, with Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos encouraging Montenegro to continue reforms.
With a population of around 600,000, Montenegro became an EU candidate in 2010, four years after its separation from Serbia, and began accession talks in 201

Read More

EU Faces Intensifying Pressure Over Proposed Tobacco Legislation Reform

EU Faces Intensifying Pressure Over Proposed Tobacco Legislation Reform

A coalition of over 25 world-renowned scientists and public health researchers have said that a proposed revision of tobacco legislation is based on a “scientifically false premise.”
This comes in a letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
The signatories include internationally-respected experts like Professor Luboš Petruželka, a distinguished oncologist at Charles Universit

Read More

Freedom of Religion vs. Freedom from Religion

Freedom of Religion vs. Freedom from Religion

A school assembly, a nurse’s chain with a small cross, a council prayer before a vote, a parent objecting to compulsory religious instruction – these are instances where freedom of religion versus freedom from religion transcends abstract legal debates and becomes an issue of power, equality, and state limits. Across Europe and beyond, these disputes are no longer niche but central to discussions

Read More

Allies Deny Brigitte Slapped Macron Over Texts With Iranian Actress

Allies Deny Brigitte Slapped Macron Over Texts With Iranian Actress

On RTL radio on Wednesday, Tardif claimed President Macron had a “platonic relationship” with Farahani for several months, with some exchanges going “quite far,” as per people close to Macron. Tardif mentioned a message to Farahani saying, “I find you very attractive.”
The Elysée initially called the slap reports fake news and later as “horseplay,” with no official response. A source close to the

Read More

China and US Joint Drug Probe Results in 5 Arrests in Major Smuggling Crackdown Beijing 2026

China and US Joint Drug Probe Results in 5 Arrests in Major Smuggling Crackdown Beijing 2026

BEIJING, China — May 11, 2026 — Eurotoday Newspaper highlights how China US cooperation moved into international focus after authorities from both countries reportedly coordinated during a large anti-drug investigation targeting an international narcotics smuggling network.
According to officials familiar with the investigation, law enforcement agencies exchanged intelligence, tracked financial ac

Read More

EU Declares Ban on LGBTQ+ Conversion Therapy Should Be Determined by Individual Countries, Not Brussels

EU Declares Ban on LGBTQ+ Conversion Therapy Should Be Determined by Individual Countries, Not Brussels

The Commission acknowledges that practices such as verbal abuse, coercion, isolation, forced medication, electric shocks, and physical and sexual abuse offer “no therapeutic value.” However, on Wednesday, the Commission announced plans to adopt a 2027 recommendation urging countries to ban conversion practices—a move campaign organizers consider a “missed opportunity.”
Thro

Read More

Mukesh Ambani’s Jio Platforms Reportedly Excludes Investor Exits from 2026 Mumbai IPO Plan

Mukesh Ambani’s Jio Platforms Reportedly Excludes Investor Exits from 2026 Mumbai IPO Plan

MUMBAI, India – May 11, 2026 – Eurotoday Newspaper — highlights how Ambani business expansion continues gaining international attention as Reliance Industries strengthens its investments across retail, telecommunications, artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and infrastructure sectors.
Led by Mukesh Ambani, Reliance Industries has transformed from a traditional energy company into one of As

Read More

Steps to Take If Your Landlord Won’t Return Your Deposit in Europe

Steps to Take If Your Landlord Won’t Return Your Deposit in Europe

The keys have been returned. The room is empty. You’ve cleaned the flat, provided your new address, and are waiting for the funds needed for your next home. Then the landlord stops responding—or claims the entire deposit is being retained for unspecified “damage” you’ve never witnessed. For tenants across Europe, especially students, migrants, and those moving between coun

Read More

Protecting Refugees or Circumventing Sanctions?

Protecting Refugees or Circumventing Sanctions?

A North London Charity May Be Serving as a Reputation-Laundering Vehicle for a Toxic Ukrainian Banker.

A small charity operating in a north London borough and focused on refugee assistance may soon come under the scrutiny of United Kingdom law enforcement.

There is a credible risk that a former Ukrainian banker, Mykola Lagun, currently evading Ukrainian justice from Vienna, may exploit

Read More