Criticism On Law Administrative Harmonization Vocational Education.

Criticism On Law Administrative Harmonization Vocational Education.

The house of representatives debates this week about the bill on administrative harmonization of vocational education. Unfortunately, parent organizations, unions, or student organizations were not involved in its creation. Together with other organizations, Ouders & Onderwijs sent a letter to The Hague about this undesirable situation.

The law should make it easier for mbo institutions to merge with secondary schools. But it seems that the law causes more problems than it solves.

Objections

Besides the fact that organizations were not involved in the creation, there are other objections. These include the following:

1. In a merged school, the law on works councils (WOR) will apply instead of the law. This means a long list of participation rights (mainly for parents and students) will disappear.

2. The law is made much broader than needed; this causes unnecessary more problems.

3. The range of offerings and therefore true free school choice will be under pressure, raising the question if enough public schools remain.

More information

The organizations call on the parliamentary education committee not to adopt this law and to send it back to the drawing board. This allows for thinking about a better law that can get enough support. For more explanation on the points above: See the letter.

Organizations

Besides Ouders & Onderwijs, other organizations signed the letter. These are: VOO, AOb, CNV, FvOV, FNV and LAKS.