Members of parliament and education: Lisa Westerveld and Gert-Jan Segers.

Members of parliament and education: Lisa Westerveld and Gert-Jan Segers.

Who Deals With Education In The Hague? Who Fights For Better Tailored Education Or Worries About The Teacher Shortage? Every Week, Two Members Of Parliament Introduce Themselves To You. What Are Their Plans For Education In The Coming Years? Some Faces Are Known, Others Are New In The House Of Representatives. This Week: Lisa Westerveld (GroenLinks) And Gert-Jan Segers (CU).

Lisa Westerveld (GroenLinks)

Would you like to briefly introduce yourself?

Since the 2017 elections, I have been a member of the House of Representatives for GroenLinks. I became spokesperson for education, which was a logical step given my years of experience at the General Education Union. Since then, I have fought together with people from education for more opportunities for all children, fair salaries, and less work pressure for teachers. In parliament, I also took an interest in youth care. Together with young people, parents, and caregivers, we call attention to the huge problems that exist. I try to be an ally of young people with mental health problems, their parents, and caregivers. In the last elections, I was re-elected with preference votes. Since our group has become smaller, I have taken on many topics, including mental health care, long-term care, emancipation, and corona.

What are your main focus points for education?

According to GroenLinks, all children deserve the best Tailored Education, including students with disabilities, autism, or giftedness. But this means a lot still needs to be done to make education suitable. We also want smaller classes so that there is more attention for every student.

What will you improve or do differently for parents and children?

In recent years, I have spoken about education, youth care, and childcare. In those four years, I have seen that children who need extra attention are often overlooked. The corona crisis also makes the differences in society bigger. In the coming years, I want to keep working for adults and children who need extra support but are too often overlooked.

Gert-Jan Segers (ChristenUnie)

Photo: Eljee Bergwerff

Would you like to briefly introduce yourself?

I am Gert-Jan, married to Rianne and father of three wonderful daughters. Over the past years, they all finished secondary school one by one. Two are now studying in Leiden and Utrecht, and the third has taken a gap year. After spending some years abroad, we have about 12 years of primary and secondary school experience in the Netherlands. This includes many parent evenings, farewell musicals, helping with homework, stress during exam weeks, and above all: kids growing fast from girls into young adults. 

What are your main focus points for education?

Big topics for the coming years are of course the shortage of teachers and equal opportunities. ChristenUnie will work hard for good education that fits students and their talents. We want to be critical of shadow education. Students from families with less money should also get the education and support they need. In the coming years, we will keep working for the freedom of education, so parents and students can choose the education that suits them, where they feel connected and involved. 

What will you improve or do differently for parents and children? 

ChristenUnie sees the school as a community where teachers, students, and parents work together for good education. It is important that parents know the people who are responsible for their child’s education. We want to increase parent involvement and would like parent associations to receive subsidies again. 

Next time: Mariëlle Paul (VVD) and Frank Wassenberg (Party for the Animals)