News item | 24-04-2026 | 13:30
Education and research, culture and media and emancipation are the basis for a resilient and prosperous society. In the current time of tensions in the world, a stronger foundation is needed. That is why the government wants to invest in knowledge, (basic) skills, creativity and critical thinking. This is stated in the policy letter Education, Culture and Science 2026-2030, in which Minister Letschert and State Secretary Tielen make proposals to the House of Representatives and the Senate about the elaboration of the coalition agreement. The Council of Ministers has adopted these plans.
Education as a basis for resilience, well-being and prosperity
Education means progress. For the individual student and for society as a whole. At school you get to know yourself and you can develop your talents. Good education provides the basis for participating in society. In our knowledge country, the government wants a higher quality of education across the board. Better performance in reading, writing and arithmetic is a priority for this government. The quality differences between schools must be reduced by raising more schools to a higher level.
Schools will start working on a new education program (curriculum) and from 2027 schools will receive structural funding for basic skills. This allows schools to continue their efforts on basic skills. With a view to the future, State Secretary Tielen wants to strengthen technology education and introduce as many young people as possible to technology in education, for example by investigating whether the Strong Technology Education program can be structurally financed.
Good school teams
Good education starts with strong teams of teachers, school leaders and support staff, who continuously train and develop. That is why State Secretary Tielen wants to structurally invest 346 million euros in the professionalization of educational staff at team level. Clear cooperation agreements with partners around the school are crucial for good education. In order to ensure that no talent is left unused, the government will structurally invest an additional 121 million euros in the School & Environment program from 2027. This provides extra learning and development time for students who need it extra. This will reach 70,000 more students on top of the 175,000 students who are already participating in the program.
Good further education
In MBO, HBO and WO, people are trained to use their talents for all those sectors that keep our country strong and independent. The government is working on a talent strategy and making targeted choices to strengthen education. Minister Letschert wants to further strengthen innovative cooperation between secondary vocational education and SMEs. The government is investing 28 million euros for this purpose, as a structural follow-up to the Regional Investment Fund.
The government wants students to have the right preconditions to develop themselves, their talents and skills. This way they can find their place in society. One of these preconditions is to combat financial stress among students, including by increasing the student grant for students living away from home by 50 euros per month.
Research and innovation as a foundation for progress
Knowledge and innovation are the basis for our prosperity and well-being. For the future and autonomy of both the Netherlands and Europe, it is necessary to strengthen that basis. The government therefore plans to structurally invest an additional 428 million euros in research and science. It is about reversing previous cuts and strengthening measures that have been proven to work. For example, Minister Letschert proposes to structurally invest in practice-oriented research, more cooperation between universities, our access to European research and innovation programs and top scientific instruments in our own country. This includes an investment of 185 million euros in the successor to the national supercomputer Snellius. There is also an additional 25 million euros to prepare for the arrival of the Einstein Telescopein close collaboration with the province of Limburg and (scientific) partners from Belgium and Germany.
Culture as a pillar in a strong democracy
Culture offers beauty, connection with others, reflection and determines our identity. Precisely because there is room for different insights, the cultural sector is a crucial pillar for democracy. Millions of Dutch people are active as amateur artists through cultural practice. From singing in choirs to creative courses and organizing carnivals: culture is essential for social cohesion. The cultural and creative sector is also of great economic importance. It accounts for 3.3% of national income and is important for our business climate.
The cultural system is in need of maintenance. The government wants more security for cultural makers, more space for young talent and attention to the distribution of cultural facilities across the country. The government is coming up with proposals to amend legislation to this end.
Investing in strong and free media
Accessible, reliable and free media are essential for a strong and resilient country. The government therefore wants to partly reverse previous cuts to the national public broadcaster. The proposal is to structurally allocate 45 million euros per year for this. Minister Letschert also wants to allocate an additional 3 million euros per year for local broadcasters. 1 million euros per year will be made available for the freedom and safety of journalists.
Equality for women and LGBTQ+ people
Together with various other ministries, the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science is working towards an equal position for women in society. When it comes to safety, health and economic independence, that position is still not equal. Combating violence against women has our government-wide attention. We continue to work on acceptance, safety, freedom and emancipation of LGBTQ+ people, whose position is increasingly under pressure. In this way, we will implement the proposals in the Rainbow Agreement with appropriate speed.
Policy letter
The policy letter 2026-2030 provides an overview of how the ministers of OCW want to implement the coalition agreement. Much of this policy will be further developed in the coming period and sent to the House of Representatives as concrete proposals. The financial report must also be completed on Budget Day. This overall picture makes it clear where exactly the government wants to invest the extra money available for the OCW areas.
Minister Letschert: “Education, research, culture and media are the foundation for solidarity, prosperity and progress. When there are tensions in the world, we must be able to build on this. That is why we want to partly reverse cuts and invest extra in knowledge, skills, creativity and critical thinking. With top scientific instruments, less financial stress for students and protection of journalists. So that everyone can contribute to a bright future for the Netherlands.”
State Secretary Tielen: “Primary schools and secondary schools must give all students a solid foundation so that they can build on it for the rest of their lives. We therefore invest in reading, writing and arithmetic and in technical skills for all students. And in strong school teams that see every student. With good education. This way every child can discover and develop their talent. A day without learning is a day wasted.”
