More money for good reading, writing and arithmetic | News item

News item | 27-03-2023 | 08:15

To ensure that every pupil learns to read, write and calculate well, extra help and money will be made available to schools. Minister Dennis Wiersma (primary and secondary education) will allocate a total of € 664 million over the next two school years to improve basic skills. This means an additional investment of € 108 million per year. This means that the approach reaches more schools, and therefore many more children.

Together with school leaders, teachers, support staff and everyone who is active in education, Minister Wiersma is fully committed to improving the basic skills of students. In addition to reading, writing, arithmetic and mathematics, this also involves digital skills and citizenship.

“We are fighting a big battle here. It is of the utmost importance to find your way back up when it comes to the most important things you need to learn in school. And fast too. We do this for today’s children, tomorrow’s adults and for the future of all of us, our country and our economy. It is a battle that we fight together and fortunately a lot is already happening; in all schools, in all classes and on all school days. The point is that children – and especially children who can use it best – lay the best possible foundation for a successful future,” says Wiersma.

With the budget of € 664 million, approximately 2,200 primary and secondary schools are eligible for assistance in improving basic skills. This concerns more than 650,000 students. The money will initially go to schools that need it most. Data from the Education Inspectorate and Statistics Netherlands (CBS) are leading in this. Participating schools receive €500 per pupil per year. That money should be spent on proven effective solutions, such as extra lessons in smaller groups, encouraging reading, further training of teachers or new teaching methods.

As of this year, there are two options for extra money: one for priority schools and one for all other schools. Priority schools are schools that have been judged ‘very weak’ or ‘unsatisfactory’ by the Education Inspectorate. These schools are all eligible for the subsidy and help from a basic team. In the event of oversubscription, applications from all other schools will be assessed on the basis of CBS data (regular education) and the Cultural Minorities Regulations (special education). These schools are eligible for financial support and can also rely on the help of a basic team.

The OCW coordinators who put together a basic team have existed since September 2022. They are now active in 116 schools. A basic team is put together for each school based on the specific situation and request for help. Such a team mainly consists of public parties who help schools to improve basic skills through a proven approach. Not only in the here and now, but also focused on the longer term. The teams unburden school leaders and teachers. They help with the search for specific support, knowledge and helping hands; where the school is in control.

With the current subsidies and the extra money, about 35% of all schools receive extra support to strengthen the basic skills of pupils. Schools can apply for the subsidy to improve basic skills 2023 from Monday 27 March 2023. This is done via DUS-I, Service Implementing Subsidies to Institutions. The application period closes on Friday 14 April 2023. Schools will hear whether they are eligible by 21 April 2023 at the latest, after which the money will be paid out in the course of June 2023.

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