{"id":9465,"date":"2026-03-04T16:48:08","date_gmt":"2026-03-04T15:48:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/evabxl.be\/nieuws-item\/baobab-strengthens-brussels-education-structural-funds-are-the-next-step\/"},"modified":"2026-03-04T16:48:08","modified_gmt":"2026-03-04T15:48:08","slug":"baobab-strengthens-brussels-education-structural-funds-are-the-next-step","status":"publish","type":"nieuws-item","link":"https:\/\/evabxl.be\/en\/nieuws-item\/baobab-strengthens-brussels-education-structural-funds-are-the-next-step\/","title":{"rendered":"Baobab strengthens Brussels education. Structural funds are the next step !"},"content":{"rendered":"

Brussels has been struggling with a teacher shortage for years. In 2024, over 10% of elementary school teacher positions remained open, accounting for 293 full-time jobs. Schools end up in a vicious circle due to the many starters and rapid turnover: at <\/span>after 1 in 3 beginning l<\/span>e teachers quit within the first year. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

On top of that, only 15% of teachers live in Brussels itself. For many children, this means that they rarely see anyone in front of the classroom who shares their world. And that while there are so many people living in Brussels with enthusiasm, talent and potential to make just that difference. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

Because of this scarcity of teachers, people without the proper diploma or certificate of competence are increasingly being used. In Brussels, almost half of all replacements do not meet the official requirements. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

Lots of talent, but few opportunities<\/span><\/b> <\/span><\/p>\n

However, many Brussels residents want to teach, but come up against diploma requirements, language expectations or a lack of accessible study-work paths. Schools and colleges indicate that they lack the time, resources and expertise to provide sustainable guidance for these profiles. Thus, a local talent pool remains largely unused. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

Those talents deserve a fair chance. Schools deserve colleagues who know, understand and are eager to embrace Brussels. Just that <\/span> The Baobab<\/span><\/b>.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

The Baobab: a proven Brussels model in preschool education<\/span><\/b> <\/span><\/p>\n

The Baobab – an initiative of EVA bxl – builds bridges between Brussels talent and education. It combines work, training and intensive coaching in one model. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

The Baobab students st<\/span>to three days a week in kindergarten and are given two days off for their o<\/span>They are trained to become Bachelor Kindergarten Teachers. They are guided by a mentor at school and by a coach from EVA bxl. This closeness makes the difference: learning together, growing together, together in front of the class. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

Schools see Baobab students grow into strong, driven teachers. Colleges notice better success rates and advancement. And kids get role models who share their city, their neighborhood and sometimes their story. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

It works. The numbers as well as the stories show that. <\/span><\/b> <\/span><\/p>\n

Baobab students achieve higher study efficiency (study efficiency) than regular work students (92.66% vs. 74%).<\/span> Colleges see a clear effect on their intake and advancement. <\/span>
\nSchools are increasingly investing in Baobab pathways themselves: h<\/span>he salary is (partly) paid by Actiris and recently supplemented by teaching hours of the schools – empty hours that would otherwise be lost. <\/span>They do so because Baobab students have proven their worth: schools experience their commitment as a real reinforcement and are guaranteed strong, continuous guidance by a Baobab coach.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

Teams become more diverse, teachers feel supported, and children are given a classroom environment that more closely matches their lives.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span>As one board member put it:<\/span>
\n“It is especially important for me to be able to recruit Brussels people, both for the children, and for the other colleagues in my team. You notice that they automatically bring with them a richer knowledge of Brussels. Look, for example, at the fluency with which they take public transport through Brussels with the preschoolers.” <\/span><\/i> <\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Time to structurally embed the model<\/span><\/b> <\/span><\/p>\n

The Baobab is attractive to schools because of the part-time subsidized contract as well as the customized framework for student and mentor teacher. <\/span>This grows support among schools and allows EVA bxl to further expand the pool of Baobab students.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, structural resources are needed: to sustain the successful approach, expand it to elementary school and other colleges, and later to other metropolitan areas. Those resources are crucial to support schools in getting started – so they can get the work-study sle <\/span>chts 1 out of 3 days p<\/span>er week must be reimbursed with their own funds – and to fund tuition costs, language support and additional coaching for a growing group of Baobab students.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

A lever for Brussels<\/span><\/b> <\/span><\/p>\n

EVA bxl believes in people, in diversity and in building solutions together. The Baobab is an example of this: solid, warm, innovative and supported by co-creation. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

It is a lever for talent, for schools and the city.<\/span> <\/span>Brussels now has the opportunity to put this trajectory on a permanent footing – helping to build a stronger, more inclusive education for all.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

Contact<\/span><\/b>: Initiative developer Lore Arnauts, EVA bxl,<\/span> 0474 42 20 74, <\/span>www.evabxl.be<\/span><\/a> <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

The Baobab is an initiative of EVA bxl – with support from VGC Education and Actiris – in collaboration with Brussels elementary school, Scholengroep Brussel, Erasmushogeschool Brussel, Odisee, Onderwijscentrum Brussel, Huis van het Nederlands Brussel and Elmer vzw.<\/span><\/i> <\/span><\/p>\n

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Resources<\/span><\/b>:<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n