House of Representatives votes on practical education track.

House of Representatives votes on practical education track.

On September 11, the House of Representatives spoke about the practical education track. We sent a letter with suggestions to make the practical education track an equivalent type of school. On Tuesday, October 8, there was a vote on several motions from the debate. This is what came from it.

Letter about concerns practical education track 

We have received signals from parents about the practical education track for some time. In the run-up to the debates, we therefore wrote a letter to the House of Representatives. In this letter, we shared the concerns of parents and gave suggestions to make the practical education track an equivalent school type. Two of these received broad support in the House of Representatives.

1. Abolish declaration of admissibility application

At this moment, parents of children who go to the practical education track have to apply for a declaration of admissibility at the Partnership Tailored Education. It is a complex process for parents and their children that often takes a long time. The procedure around applying for a declaration of admissibility also causes problems with the school enrolment. While a declaration of admissibility is not needed for havo, vwo, and vmbo. In our letter, we called to abolish this method of enrolment for secondary education. 

The House of Representatives agrees with us. Ms. Paul, the state secretary for founded education, wants to keep the declaration of admissibility application. Due to a proposal by GroenLinks/PvdA, D66, and the BBB, the government must now conduct research about abolishing the declaration of admissibility for the practical education track. The House of Representatives can then decide later whether to abolish it thoughtfully.

2. Independent school advice practical education track

At this moment, it is not possible for the practical education track advice to come independently from the test. Children therefore get a ‘practical education track/vmbo bb’ test advice. This causes confusion and problems for parents and children. We have therefore pleaded at the House of Representatives for an independent advice practical education track from the secondary school transition test. The state secretary will now investigate what is possible.

Happy with the actions

Ouders & Education is happy with these two steps, and we are glad that the signals from parents are taken seriously. We remain involved in the follow-up and commit ourselves to an equivalent practical education track. Want to know more about the suggestions we made? Then read our full letter below.