More money for tailored education necessary.

More money for tailored education necessary.

Wednesday is the debate on Tailored Education with Minister Wiersma in the House of Representatives. In a letter, we earlier called on the committee members to free up budget for the improvement measures of Tailored Education. The plans presented in 2020 by then Minister Slob did not include a financial section. This is worrying because the plans now have to be financed with money intended for care students.

In 2020 the minister presented an improvement plan with 25 measures for Tailored Education. However, no budget was provided for the plans then. The money meant for support to children is now used by the government for the improvement measures. So, the partnerships Tailored Education of schools now have to finance the parent and youth support points, which reduces the support resources. In the letter, written together with parent association Balans and patient organization Ieder(in), we call to provide the improvement agenda with a realistic budget.

Little improvement

We see that despite the improvement approach, little changes in schools themselves. Schools still refuse students if there is a suspicion they need extra support. This way schools avoid their Duty of care. The problem of children staying at home without education also does not speed up. Thousands of children still stay at home without schooling.

Address structural problems

Real Tailored Education requires stronger action. Because of the overload in regular and special education, classes are overcrowded, there is high work pressure, teacher shortages, too little support in the classroom, and staff not enough trained. These effects show first and directly with the students who need extra support. Investments in small classes and more help in the classroom are necessary.

It would be better if the cabinet did more to make inclusive education possible. Inclusive education means every child can go to a regular school close to home. The right to education as a legal base is, according to the organizations, the basis for inclusive education. The goal of inclusive education is no coincidence in the coalition agreement of the VVD, D66, CDA and ChristenUnie.

The House of Representatives debates on Wednesday 30 March from 11:30 with Minister Wiersma about Tailored Education.

Complete brief

The complete letter can be read on our website. The letter is from Ouders & Onderwijs, parent association Balans and Ieder(in). The following organizations support the initiative: Education Consumers Organization, Defence for Children, LAKS, Reformatorical Parent Association, Foundation For Working Parents, Ouders010, Network of Parent Initiatives, MIND, Per Saldo, Carefree To School, LBVSO, the Disabled Child, FOSS, FODOK, Interest Association for Care Intensive Children, NVA, Advisory Council Eigenwijsheid.