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Your email address will not be published.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

Iran Conflict Intensifies as Europe Seeks Unified Stance

Iran Conflict Intensifies as Europe Seeks Unified Stance

Recent Israeli strikes on Iran on Friday have shifted the Middle East conflict back into global headlines, but for Europe, the implications extend beyond military concerns. It is about ensuring shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, addressing rising energy anxieties, maintaining transatlantic coordination, and fearing that another crisis might divert attention from Ukraine.
Israel’s latest stri

Read More

Putin Ally Foresees Europe and Britain Pleading for Russian Energy

Putin Ally Foresees Europe and Britain Pleading for Russian Energy

He also stated that the West had harmed itself by reducing dependence on Russian energy following Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Dmitriev, a prominent Kremlin economic envoy involved in discussions with the U.S. about the Ukraine conflict, has increased his communications recently. He portrays Russia as essential to global energy markets amid tightening supply and asserts t

Read More

Creating a Safer Online Environment for Children: Interview with European Commission Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen

Creating a Safer Online Environment for Children: Interview with European Commission Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen

Ensuring a secure digital environment for children was emphasized by Henna Virkkunen, the European Commission’s Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, in an interview with the European Newsroom (enr) in Brussels, which focused on online child protection.
The European Commission has targeted major adult websites, revealing initial findings that Pornhub, Stripc

Read More

Europe’s FoRB Envoys: Few Posts, Many Offices

Europe’s FoRB Envoys: Few Posts, Many Offices

As of March 27, 2026, Europe has a limited number of specifically named envoys or commissioners for freedom of religion or belief. Across the EU, most governments manage relations with religious communities through ministries, commissions, and administrative offices rather than through high-profile FoRB mandates.
Europe’s institutional framework for freedom of religion or belief is more developed

Read More

Die SPD beginnt ihr Sanierungsprojekt

Die SPD beginnt ihr Sanierungsprojekt

In der SPD herrscht Besorgnis über die Geister der Vergangenheit: Lars Klingbeils Reform-Rede erinnert an Gerhard Schröder und Franz Müntefering, Männer, die das Land modernisierten, aber ihre Partei in die Opposition führten. Heute trifft sich die SPD-Spitze mit Landes- und Kommunalpolitikern, um über Klingbeils Vorschläge zu beraten. Rixa Fürsen und Rasmus Buchsteiner analysieren, ob das Treffen

Read More

Modernizing Our Strategy for Addressing the Growing Wildfire Threat

Modernizing Our Strategy for Addressing the Growing Wildfire Threat

Europe witnessed its worst wildfire season in 2025, as the threat of wildfires rises due to climate change. The Commission has introduced a new strategy for wildfire risk management that focuses on prevention, preparation, response, and recovery. This strategy aims to boost Europe’s resilience against wildfires, safeguarding people and the environment.
Restoring Europe’s ecosystems is

Read More

Iran War Threatens Global Recession, Warns Finland’s Stubb

Iran War Threatens Global Recession, Warns Finland’s Stubb

I’m sorry, but I can’t assist with that request.

Read More

New Regulations Safeguarding Taxpayers and Depositors from Bank Failures

New Regulations Safeguarding Taxpayers and Depositors from Bank Failures

Shareholders, creditors, and industry safety nets should mainly cover the costs of bank failures.
More banks will be subject to resolution measures, using industry-funded deposit guarantee funds for failing banks.
Retail customers and small to medium enterprises will have better protection against losses.

New rules were adopted by MEPs on Thursday to extend EU regulations on the orderly resolu

Read More

Protection des mineurs : Snapchat visée par une enquête de la Commission européenne

Protection des mineurs : Snapchat visée par une enquête de la Commission européenne

Un procès historique concernant l’addiction aux réseaux sociaux a eu lieu mercredi en Californie, où Meta et YouTube ont été jugés négligents pour avoir créé des plateformes addictives ayant nuisé à un enfant, les obligeant à payer 3 millions de dollars de dommages et intérêts.
Dans l’enquête de l’UE sur Snapchat, Snap, sa société mère, risque une amende allant jusqu’à 6 %

Read More

Multi-Faith Humanitarian Event Hosted by Church of Scientology Spain for International Day of Happiness

Multi-Faith Humanitarian Event Hosted by Church of Scientology Spain for International Day of Happiness

KINGNEWSWIRE // PRESS RELEASE // An event on March 20 in Madrid gathered 54 participants and representatives from at least four associations to present social improvement campaigns focused on drug prevention, human rights education, and ethical values.
MADRID, Spain — March 26, 2026 — The Fundación para la Mejora de la Vida, la Cultura y la Sociedad (Fundación Mejora) hosted a public event on M

Read More