2023-06-26 12:03:00
A geography teacher from the town of Tellin was expelled from his school because of the climate. He taught in 5th and 6th grade but his contract was not renewed. Because of, in particular: extensive positions on the environment, beyond what the official program requires.
In this college of 400 students, the climate issue is controversial. A young teacher paid the price. He decided to teach advanced information on climate, environment and energy issues.
“For example, for the fifth, I did a course on electric cars. The question is really to know: what are we going to do tomorrow?”launches Max Stockmans, a licensed geography teacher
He recognizes it: it goes well beyond what is provided for in the geography course program, but he wanted to innovate.
“I have lots of ideas, lots of desires, and in fact, we don’t know because we are always blocked by ‘Ah no’, and therefore, there is no possible initiative, and therefore there is no possible change, there is no possible innovation, when in fact the world is changing”explains the young professor.
“It prepares us as well as possible for our future adult life”
His dismissal is now controversial in the school. A petition is circulating and has been signed by many students.
“Mr. Stockmans is the only teacher who really teaches us what life is and what we will have to face in the near future”, “Mr. Stockmans is one of the rare teachers who makes us want to learn” , “He is one of the best teachers I have ever had: he prepares us as well as possible for our future adult life by addressing essential themes related to climate change”can we read at the bottom of the petition.
For its part, the school justifies itself: “We feel like we are perfectly within our rights”defends Gilbert Kaye, president of the organizing power ASBL Collège d’Alzon.
The school relies on the report of an education inspector: “The school could not take a risk by keeping this teacher reluctant to take into account the remarks and suggestions imposed by this external evaluation report”says Gilbert Kaye.
“Here, we are talking to kets who are 17 years old”
Management also believes that the climate issue is present in the course program.
“The geography teacher is asked to raise awareness of environmental problems and the future of the planet on the basis of these themes”further justifies Gilbert Kaye.
“That for me is data that 12-year-old students should know, but here we are talking to kets who are 17 years old. We cannot reduce the climate to the increase in temperatures and the increase sea level, it’s much more complex than that”defends the professor of geography.
This program dates from 2018 and an adaptation is underway to make it more relevant to today’s situation.
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