House of Representatives votes on the education budget: what does this mean?.

House of Representatives votes on the education budget: what does this mean?.

After weeks of negotiations, the House of Representatives voted on December 12, 2024, on the education budget for 2025 and some proposals for law changes. What exactly changes? We list the main points.

Less budget cuts, but still hard choices

The cabinet originally wanted to cut 2 billion euros from education. After much pressure from some parties, that amount has now been reduced to 1.3 billion. This means about 750 million in planned cuts are reversed. Because of this, young people can still take part in projects for volunteer work. And children will keep getting lessons about different religions and beliefs.

But some cuts will still happen, such as:

• Initiatives for homebound students: subsidies for this vulnerable group are cut.
• ‘Rich school day’: less budget for extra tutoring, sport, and culture at school.
• Broad first-year classes: subsidies for merging students of different levels disappear.

How is the gap covered?

To finance the 750 million euros that is now kept, cuts are made in other ministries. For example, the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport adds 215 million. Also, executive organizations like DUO must save extra. What this means exactly is not clear yet.

Not everyone is happy

Parties like GroenLinks/PvdA, SP and D66 wanted to keep the full 2 billion for education. They believe the cuts have a negative impact on children and their parents. These parties did not get a majority for this proposal.

What do parents and children notice?

The effects of these choices will become clearer in the coming years. Less budget for homebound students, tutoring, sport and broad first-year classes means some children get fewer chances. What this means exactly for parents and their children, we will see in the coming years.