Maximum class size, tutoring, and partner leave important for parents.

Maximum class size, tutoring, and partner leave important for parents.

Free needed tutoring through school, a maximum class size, and keeping the current partner leave. These measures can count on strong support from parents. This appears from the results of kieswijsouders.nl: an election guide specially for parents.

No less than 46,653 parents filled in the election guide of Ouders & Onderwijs and Stichting voor Werkende Ouders. The results clearly show what parents and their children find important at the formation table.

Marjet Winsemius, director of Stichting voor Werkende Ouders, thinks it is important that the voice of the 3.3 million parents is heard at the formation table. ‘Parents have faced a huge challenge last year in combining education, work, and care. It has given us many insights, both positive and negative. The importance of childcare and good leave arrangements is clear, and working from home is a good solution to find a better balance. It is now time to address this at the formation table.’

What parents want

On several topics, parents are very united. A child who needs tutoring must, according to 86% of parents, always get this through the school without extra costs. And 80% of parents are positive about a tailored diploma at secondary school, in which their child can take subjects at a higher and lower level. A maximum class size is a must for no less than 91% of parents.

Lobke Vlaming, director of Ouders & Onderwijs: ‘Parents want smaller classes massively. Large classes, according to parents, harm education quality. Moreover, their children enjoy school less and feel less safe in a large class. That is why we advocate for a maximum norm for class size, which schools can only deviate from temporarily and with a good reason.’

On other topics, parents are also clear. The current partner leave should remain unchanged according to 71%, 61% would like to see a Ministry of Youth and Family Affairs in the next cabinet, and 61% want a legal ban on all marketing for unhealthy products aimed at children. To read further: see all parents’ answers to the statements.