Tailored education too often a paper reality.

Tailored education too often a paper reality.

Children prefer to go to school nearby and sometimes need extra help for this. An adapted entrance, a quiet room, or a guide in the class. Unfortunately, this is often not provided. There must be improvement in tailored education. Various organizations for parents and pupils call for this before the House of Representatives debate on tailored education.

Tailored education was introduced in 2014. Ten years later, we can conclude that it has not improved, and in some cases it has even gotten worse. Despite measures already taken in the ‘improvement approach tailored education‘, non-tailored education still occurs often. Education is under pressure. Large classes, teacher shortages, and cancelled lessons leave too little time for good support. Teachers lack the space and skills for suitable guidance for pupils and themselves. Waiting lists for special education and youth care are increasing. Schools say there is no budget for support while other budgets remain unused. In the letter, parent and pupil organizations offer solutions for the short and long term.

Duty of care more strictly enforced

Schools have duty of care. This means they are responsible for supporting every pupil at the school. We often hear that schools avoid this duty of care. For example, they refuse pupils with support needs, do not do proper research into different support options, or refer pupils to special education too quickly. There must be more supervision on this.

Urgency to improve pupil transport

For years, we have called attention to big problems in pupil transport. Children sometimes spend hours in taxis, even if they do not live far from school. Last year, a few children were even ‘lost’ or not picked up from school. This is still a serious problem with no concrete steps taken. Pupil transport is not yet considered when referring to special education, and no agreements have been made to reduce maximum travel time to 45 minutes. There is a lack of urgency for all parties to work together on structural improvements.

More cooperation between education, youth care, daycare, and health

A pupil with support needs can come into contact with youth care or health institutions. Education, youth care, daycare, and health still work too much separately. Because these systems are separate, parents and their children are sent from pillar to post. For parents and children, education, daycare, and health are connected, not separate. Education, youth care, and health must better connect so they can work together.

Letter debate tailored education

The debate in the House of Representatives will take place on 29 May 2024. In preparation, 22 organizations wrote a letter with recommendations.