This is in the coalition agreement about education.

This is in the coalition agreement about education.

The forming parties D66, CDA and VVD presented their coalition agreement for the next cabinet today. These are the main plans for education.

From cutting back to investing

The previous cuts booked by the Schoof cabinet are off the table. That means 1.5 billion euros will return to the education budget and important services for children and schools will be preserved.

If D66, VVD and CDA have their way, from next year 1 billion euros extra will be invested in education, rising to 1.5 billion from 2031.

These are the plans

The future cabinet also presents several content ambitions for the coming years:

Attention to language and math and tackling educational disadvantages

• The cabinet wants to continue targeted investment in better reading, writing, and math education.
• The next cabinet also wants to have a registration requirement from 4 years old.
• Disadvantages are tackled early, through rich school days and early childhood education.

Investing in teachers and smaller classes

• Teachers get more time for professional development and growth.
• It will become more attractive to become a teacher later in your career as a side entrant.
• There will be a pilot with smaller classes.

Tailored education

• More places for gifted education in every region.
• The principle is: inclusive education where possible, special education where needed.
• More flexible solutions for children at risk of dropping out.

Safety at school

• With the law ‘free and safe education’ the next cabinet wants to guarantee that every school is safe.
• The next cabinet also wants to fight bullying with proven methods.

Article 23 remains intact

• Freedom of education remains the principle: parents can keep choosing a school that fits their beliefs.

Secondary vocational education

• Secondary vocational education will get more stable funding and better cooperation with businesses.
• The work-based route will become more attractive with more guidance and flexible entry.
• Secondary vocational students get the same access to housing, sports and culture as students at universities of applied sciences and universities.

For all plans and investments, the minority cabinet must get support from opposition parties in the House of Representatives and then the Senate. It is therefore not yet certain whether the plans will go ahead, or if they will be adjusted.

Ouders & Onderwijs positive about preliminary plans

Ouders & Onderwijs is positive about the preliminary plans. That the coalition agreement reverses the earlier announced cuts is very important. For many plans, it is still unclear how they will look in practice. Especially for Tailored Education, education quality and safety at school, it is important that steps are taken in the coming years. This coalition agreement offers a good basis for this.