The staat van het onderwijs 2023: language and math not yet in order.

The staat van het onderwijs 2023: language and math not yet in order.

The basic skills language, math and citizenship are not in order. School governing bodies must take more control. That is the conclusion of the Inspectie van het Onderwijs in the annual report the state of education.

Control by school governing bodies

If we want to improve the basic skills language, math and citizenship and give pupils and students equal chances, governing bodies must take more control. They can do this by setting clear goals and adjusting continually. Priority must also be given to support and ongoing training of beginning teachers. To really reverse the downward trend a stable long-term strategy is still urgently needed. That is the conclusion of the Inspectie van het Onderwijs in the state of education 2023.

Acute problems

Much is asked of education often under difficult conditions. Acute problems make it hard to focus on the long term. For example, the shortage of teachers and school leaders is still rising. The growing shortage in Dutch and math in secondary education is worrying. Besides enough teachers, the wellbeing of pupils and students is essential to learning. However, the percentage of pupils who experience stress and pressure and the number of students with mental health problems has greatly increased in recent years. The growing number of newcomers added to this last year.

High outflow, less inflow in teacher education

Because of outflow, not all students in teacher trainings become beginning teachers. The primary teacher training and secondary degree teacher training lose many students in the first year. Among students who enter primary teacher training indirectly, as lateral entrants or after changing courses, dropout is even higher. Besides, inflow is decreasing for nearly all types of teacher training. Given the teacher shortage, the decrease in inflow in language and science subjects is worrying.

Equal chances not always natural

Getting a diploma at the highest level is not always needed or suitable for every pupil or student, but there must be no barriers to continue for those who want and can. Still, continuous learning paths, enough support and well-founded selection procedures are often missing. More higher education courses select students. Many do not pay attention to equal chances in all parts of their selection procedures. Also, the rise last year in students leaving vocational education without a diploma is worrying. Without a diploma they have fewer chances in their career.

Presentation and award

During the state of education congress in Utrecht the new publication is handed to the ministers of education, culture and science. Watch the presentation and award of the state of education back.

State of the Parent

Ouders & Onderwijs published at the same time the state of the Parent. An annual report, which this year focuses on the relationship between parents and teachers.