Crevits wants to see students involved in building schools

Flemish education minister Hilde Crevits wants to get students in technical and professional study streams more involved in the building or renovation of schools. This way, students acquire more practical experience and schools can limit the costs of updating their infrastructure. 

The students can help with small renovations and technical maintenance – for example, electricity, joinery and painting – of schools. In a first phase, which starts next school year, Crevits will call on students to think of designs for the school building of the future.

Many technical schools already involve students in school construction, but Crevits wants to expand this initiative through the dual learning system in which students combine their studies with work. Instead of following an internship at a construction company, students can work at the school, under the guidance of someone from the company.

Construction industry federation Bouwunie is happy with the idea. “Students will get a lot more experience and self-confidence,” said secretary-general Jean-Pierre Waeytens. “The reputation of the profession will improve and students will find it easier to enter the business sector.”

Crevits’ proposal is part of the Master Plan for School Construction, a plan to update and expand Flanders’ school infrastructure, which was approved by the government last week and will now be discussed with the education and business sectors.
 

Photo by Ingimage