More than 12,500 secondary-school teachers and other staff are on strike today. They are angry at draft legislation being pushed through parliament by Education Minister Marja van Bijsterveld.

A majority of MPs are behind the legislation which will keep the number of lesson hours at 1,040 for the first two years of secondary school. Teachers and students want it reduced to 1,000.

Teachers fear staffing problems and other pressures will lead to students not being taught in the extra 40 hours – as is often the case at present. If this happens, students have to work by themselves in class. This is seen by many as a waste of time.

Teachers are also angry at government plans to freeze their salaries and impose major cuts on special needs education.

About 600 secondary schools are taking part in the strike and dozens are closing entirely for the day. A major rally is planned to take place in Utrecht.

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