News item | 07-06-2022 | 16:14
The board member of 8 Schools for Personal Education (SvPO) has today transferred his board duties to an interim board nominated by the ministry. In doing so, the director complies with Minister Wiersma’s earlier demand (primary and secondary education) to leave due to (financial) mismanagement. A report from the Education Inspectorate mapped out this mismanagement. In this context, the Inspectorate also previously filed a report. Thanks to the handover, which took place today, the interim administration can get to work on the necessary recovery.
Minister Wiersma: ‘For me, the interests of the students at SvPO schools are paramount. Like every other student in the Netherlands, they deserve a well-run school, where good education is offered. The leadership of the SvPO schools is now in the hands of 5 directors nominated by the ministry, who have extensive experience in various fields of education. It is good that the SvPO director has come to the conclusion that it is better for him to leave in the interest of the students. The interim board, together with the staff, is working hard to get things in order within the SvPO schools so that students can get a good education again.’
Quality
In addition to the financial findings, the Inspectorate previously noted that the quality of education at a number of SvPO schools was not in order. 3 of the 8 schools were judged ‘very weak’, the school in Utrecht even twice in a row. As a result of this, the Inspectorate has made improvement agreements with the previous board. The Inspectorate’s recovery investigation is still ongoing.
The interim board will be given a tough job, improving both finances and the quality of education. Like the minister, the interim board puts the interests of the students at the 8 SvPO schools above all else.
Wiersma: ‘I wish these students and their parents a new start. I am confident that the appointment of the interim board is an important step in this direction. We closely follow developments in quality, so that education improves quickly.’