New coalition presents plans for education.

New coalition presents plans for education.

The parties PVV, VVD, NSC and BBB published their outline agreement on Thursday, May 16. They present their first government plans for education and more.

The new outline agreement 2024-2028 from PVV, VVD, NSC and BBB includes major measures for higher education. For Mbo, primary and secondary education, it remains quite general. The parties want the cabinet to come with a Recovery Plan Quality Education. The mentioned parts need to be worked out further or are a continuation of the current policy. For example, the parties think the methods to test must improve, there should be attention for tailored and special education, and they give priority to the basic skills (reading, writing and arithmetic).  

Input on money spending 

They also want to stop the ‘proliferation of subsidies.’ They want to change these into solid structural financing. They also want school leaders and teachers to have a say in how this money is spent. The parties want to promote that education is accessible within a reasonable travel time, both in cities and rural areas. Education methods must be proven effective and ‘politically neutral,’ according to the parties. What that means exactly is not clear. 

No broad first-year class 

The financial annex still shows two concrete measures for primary and secondary education. The subsidy for broad first-year classes will be stopped in coming years, and the School & Environment program will be cut to a minimum.  Since 2022, the Ministry of Education has offered extra activities during primary and secondary school times with that program. The goal is to create more equal chances for children and youth.  

Next steps 

The House of Representatives will debate the results next week. The new opposition parties already reacted critically. After the debate, a formateur will be appointed to form a new cabinet with ministers and state secretaries. That cabinet must further develop the plans of the intended coalition parties.