News item | 25-02-2022 | 15:45
Every child should learn to read, write and count. In order to make that basis for all children more solid, the National Education Program will be extended by two years. Part of the money is also distributed differently, so that it actually ends up in the places where support is most needed. That is what the cabinet has decided.
Minister Wiersma for Primary and Secondary Education: “I want every child to be able to get the best out of themselves, regardless of corona. That starts with a solid foundation: learning to read, write and count well, with an eye for the well-being of students. Schools are working hard on that. Unfortunately, in recent years with strong headwinds, due to the consequences of the corona pandemic. That is why schools are given more time to further strengthen the foundation of good education with proven effective measures.”
More time
The money from the program can now also be used in the school years 2023/2024 and 2024/2025, if necessary. This gives schools more room to use the money for the right measures. The amount of time and space required for this varies per school. Schools will know exactly what amount they will receive well before the next school year, so that they can use it to make targeted plans.
Different distribution of money
It has since become apparent that schools in secondary education need a higher amount per pupil to strengthen the base. Secondary schools have been closed for longer than primary schools and therefore have more work to do. The basic amount per pupil in secondary education will therefore be approximately EUR 820 next school year, for primary education this will be EUR 500 per pupil. Schools have already received a higher amount for special primary education, (secondary) special education, practical education and the upper years of VMBO, and this will remain the case. The budget is also not specifically aimed at schools in deprived areas, but is looked at more broadly where the base needs to be further strengthened. It has become apparent that, for example, children from middle-class families also need better support.
Structural attention
The government sees the expansion of the program as a logical prelude to a more structural focus on improving education, for which money has been earmarked in the coalition agreement. This will build further on the experiences of the National Education Programme. This programme, which was launched in February 2021, has made a total of 5.8 billion euros available for primary and secondary education. Schools spend this money on proven effective interventions from a specially developed menu. Extensive monitoring and accountability has also been set up for the programme. A second progress report will be sent to the House of Representatives in April, containing new data on implementation by schools and the well-being of pupils.