There are concerns at secondary schools in Drenthe about the continuation of school outings. By scrapping the mandatory parental contribution, schools receive less money to organize trips.
Under a new law, children may no longer be excluded from excursions and school trips if their parents cannot afford the costs. The schools then have to match the costs.
“The intention of the law is good,” says Ralf Buiter, director of the Dr. Nassau College in Assen. “But it has an annoying side effect. The inequality of opportunity is increasing, instead of shrinking. Schools where more parents pay the voluntary contribution can still go on excursions. But schools where parents cannot or do not want to pay cannot.”
Buiter is concerned that schools will receive less income in the future and will therefore have to cancel some activities. “I also can’t afford to cancel Dutch lessons because we want an excursion.”
The school director emphasizes the importance of the trips. “What memory do you have of your high school days? I remember very well that I was standing on the Eiffel Tower in Paris. I had never been there. It gives you a broader view of the world. You also want to pass that on to the next generation.”
Buiter argues for funding from the government. “The outgoing Minister of Education Wiersma wanted to investigate whether school fees could be completely abolished and whether we were given extra budget to organize these kinds of activities. But it will take some time in The Hague.”
Wolfsbos in Hoogeveen also finds it difficult. The school has noticed that parents pay less, now that the contribution has been voluntary for a year and a half. The school does try to continue the activities and therefore has to pay more itself. “An excursion will not take place until 80 percent of the amount has been paid,” says a spokesperson.