Letter to the House of Representatives: “Give Parents a Voice in Education!”.

Letter to the House of Representatives: “Give Parents a Voice in Education!”.

Monday 29 September the House of Representatives will discuss the proposal Parents and Education from CDA and SGP. Six parent organizations sent a letter to the House advising to involve parents more often in decisions about education.

Ouders & Onderwijs, OCO, Reformatorische Oudervereniging, Voor Werkende Ouders, Oudervereniging Balans and Vereniging Openbaar Onderwijs sent this letter together.

Parents As Partners, Not As Spectators

“Parent involvement is not a luxury but a necessary condition for good education,” the organizations emphasize in a joint letter to the Members of Parliament. They point out that parents have an important view on what their children need to develop.

Why Parent Involvement Is Important

When parents feel taken seriously, it has a direct effect on children and their education. They enjoy school more and feel better supported. Last year’s election of the Most Parent-Friendly School of the Netherlands already showed that schools that really work with parents have more satisfied students and parents.

Still, parent involvement often remains limited to parent evenings or help with activities. Many parents want to think along about the quality of education in content.

Important Chance

The parent organizations see the parliamentary debate as an important chance to firmly embed parent involvement in policy and practice. Because good education starts with good cooperation between school and home.