Roundtable discussion national program education in House of Representatives.

Roundtable discussion national program education in House of Representatives.

On 26 May, the roundtable discussion about the National Program Education took place in the House of Representatives. Our director Lobke Vlaming took part on behalf of Ouders & Onderwijs. We were happy with the invitation and the chance to share some focus points from parents.

View the input from Lobke Vlaming, director of Ouders & Onderwijs

First, we are positive about the attention and money to deal with the effects that corona had on children and families. We find it positive that school teams and the School participation council jointly decide how the program money is spent. We also make 8 recommendations to improve the program.

1. Ensure structural investments in education

The best way to overcome the effects of corona in education remains, in our view, structural investing in qualified teachers, smaller classes, and more hands in the classroom. We prefer to spread the money over a longer period or, even better, spend it structurally on a stronger foundation in education.

2. Involve the School participation council better

We consider parent involvement essential to make plans at schools succeed. It is important that the guide developed for the School participation council really comes to the council’s attention.

3. Work together with parents in the National Program Education

We also ask for attention to the conversation between child, parent, and teacher when making individual plans. Our experience is that involving parents in plans for their children is not always seen as normal by the school.

4. Extra attention for pupils with additional support needs

Children with additional support needs faced more problems during the corona period. Support at school and care arrangements came to a halt. Therefore, these children must get extra attention in the National Program Education. The custom work needed for this is not directly covered by the interventions from the ‘menu card’. We ask schools to have some freedom and to be encouraged to make tailor-made options possible for these children.

5. Do not forget the school refusers (again)

All children should benefit from the National Program Education, especially children who have not received education for a long time. Unfortunately, about 15,000 school refusers risk being left out again. We want an explicit requirement for schools to make individual plans for ‘their’ school refusers in close consultation with their parents and themselves.

6. More focus on reading and math education

The State of Education shows that delays in reading and math have increased. Even before corona, there were big problems in these areas. We therefore argue to invest money from the National Program Education in reading and math education.

7. Do not put too much pressure on children

Some children have had a hard time because of the corona measures. Therefore, we must avoid putting too much extra pressure on children. We are happy that schools get room to offer extended learning paths and give children the time they need.

8. Make sure the money goes to the right place

The corona crisis mainly caused bigger differences between children, not necessarily delays for all children. We find it important that there is the possibility to target funds where they are most needed. This may mean not every child needs this money, as the current setup of the National Program Education intends.

Looking back

Watch below the input of director Lobke Vlaming during the roundtable on 26 May. The entire debate can be watched via Debatgemist of the House of Representatives.

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