“Unacceptable that practical education students have to wait longer for a public transport card”.

“Unacceptable that practical education students have to wait longer for a public transport card”.

About twelve thousand students from the practical education track travel three to four days a week to an internship to learn a trade. They have to pay the travel costs themselves and that must stop soon, says the Sectorraad Praktijkonderwijs.

Unlike mbo, hbo, and wo students, practical education track students do not get a public transport card from the government. Practical education is a form of secondary education that trains young people for practical jobs, such as gardener, warehouse worker, or cleaner. To learn these trades, students travel weekly to an employer. Their fellow students do not have to do this. These students are left behind. And this group often really needs travel cost reimbursement.

Promise Means Debt

After years of requests from, among others, the Sectorraad Praktijkonderwijs, former minister Wiersma promised the public transport card for practical education students soon. Now Minister Paul breaks this promise. It seems to come in 2026 only. Until then, there may be a temporary solution in the form of a ‘bridge scheme’ that will only apply to students following an entry-level course. This scheme also needs approval from the House of Representatives first. This would mean that children and their parents must pay travel costs themselves for two more years.

Successful

“In the 25 years this form of education has existed, it has been very successful in guiding vulnerable young people to the labor market,” says the Sectorraad Praktijkonderwijs. “Especially in the practical jobs where there is a big shortage now and in the future. Those students, who often do not have much at home either, should not be pushed to extra costs with bus cards.”

Unacceptable

Ouders & Onderwijs supports the stance of the Sectorraad Praktijkonderwijs. “It is unacceptable that practical education students have to wait longer,” says Marieke Boon, theme advisor tailored education. On Tuesday, January 16 and Thursday, January 18, the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science will discuss the education budget for the coming years. Boon: “We therefore call on the House of Representatives to raise this problem in the budget debate this week.”