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Your email address will not be published.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

Mobile Courts Bring Hope to Communities in South Sudan

Mobile Courts Bring Hope to Communities in South Sudan

The mission is to prepare for the deployment of a mobile court set to start next month. This initiative is crucial for crime victims who have long felt accountability is unreachable.
Since 2018, South Sudan, the world’s youngest nation, has faced instability and violence despite a peace agreement intended to end years of civil war.
Armed clashes involving government forces, opposition group

Read More

Turkey Considers Sending F-16s to Northern Cyprus

Turkey Considers Sending F-16s to Northern Cyprus

Turkey’s potential action follows a series of drone and missile strikes on the island, divided between a Turkish-backed northern state and the Greek-speaking EU member state of Cyprus in the south, since U.S.-Israeli operations against Iran began last week.
The Republic of Cyprus hosts the British airbase at Akrotiri, which was targeted by drones early in the Israeli-U.S. campaign against Ir

Read More

Social fairness key to success of the EU’s new ETS2 cap-and-trade system

Social fairness key to success of the EU’s new ETS2 cap-and-trade system

The EU’s second ‘cap and trade’ emissions trading system (ETS2) for road transport and buildings aims to accelerate Europe’s decarbonisation, promoting cleaner fuels and technologies. Early financial support for vulnerable groups, policy coherence, public support, transparency, and effective communication are crucial for its success, as highlighted in two European Environ

Read More

German coalition partner states Iran campaign is ‘not our war’

German coalition partner states Iran campaign is ‘not our war’

German Vice Chancellor Lars Klingbeil on Saturday dismissed Berlin’s involvement in the rising military conflict in Iran, labeling the U.S.-Israeli campaign as “not our war” and highlighting legal issues regarding the strikes.
In an interview with RND, Klingbeil stated that despite the Iranian government being a “terror regime,” he has “considerable doubts” about air strikes leading to a per

Read More

Costa Advocates for Increased European Sovereignty in Hamburg

Costa Advocates for Increased European Sovereignty in Hamburg

At the Matthiae Mahl in Hamburg, European Council President António Costa outlined a vision for a more robust European Union capable of self-defense, economic competition, and independent action in an unstable world. Addressing an audience including former German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Costa emphasized that Europe should counter war, coercion, and global fragmentation by enhancing its unity.

Read More

Trump Pledges Strong Response to Iran Following Tehran’s Defiance

Trump Pledges Strong Response to Iran Following Tehran’s Defiance

The U.S. president announced an escalation in military attacks, stating, “Today Iran will be hit very hard!” He mentioned that the Pentagon will target “groups and people that were not considered for targeting” previously. Trump’s statement on Saturday came after he demanded an “unconditional surrender” from Iran’s leaders on Friday, which was dismissed by Pezeshkian as a “dream that they sh

Read More

Iconography of Christ as "King of Kings and Lord of Lords"

Iconography of Christ as "King of Kings and Lord of Lords"

The artwork “King of Kings, The Queen Stands at Your Right Hand” is a distinctive interpretation of the Deesis composition, portraying Christ as “King of kings and Lord of lords” (1 Tim. 6:15). It initially served as an illustration for a verse from Psalm 44: “The queen stood at Your right hand, clothed in gold…” (Psalm 45:10–11), where, according to interpretative tradition, Christ

Read More

Iran to Pause Strikes on Neighbors Unless Attacked: Pezeshkian

Iran to Pause Strikes on Neighbors Unless Attacked: Pezeshkian

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian extended a formal apology to neighboring countries on Saturday amid a significant overnight airstrike by Israeli fighter jets on Tehran.
In a prerecorded message aired on national television, Pezeshkian expressed intentions to reduce tensions with neighboring nations after a tense week of missile and drone exchanges across borders.
The president stated that the

Read More

Khartoum’s Silent War: Reimposing Religious Restrictions on Women During Civil Conflict

Khartoum’s Silent War: Reimposing Religious Restrictions on Women During Civil Conflict

Brussels – Amid the artillery exchanges between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a quieter conflict is changing the lives of Khartoum’s residents. According to a recent Mediapart investigation titled “In Khartoum, women are victims of the return of Islamists,” there is a rise in Islamist influence in the capital. The report highlights the targeted harassme

Read More

Hungary’s Election Campaign Set to Intensify

Hungary’s Election Campaign Set to Intensify

Hungary’s election campaign is poised to become increasingly contentious as candidates are finalized. Analysts anticipate a surge in smear tactics and influence operations.

Read More