House of representatives votes on secondary school transition test, tailored education and wellbeing.

House of representatives votes on secondary school transition test, tailored education and wellbeing.

On Wednesday evening, 30 September, the House of Representatives spoke with state secretary Tielen and minister Letschert of education. It was about the test in group 8, tailored education, pupil transport, and the mental health of pupils.

On Tuesday, 6 October, the House voted on proposals from political parties. If the House adopts a proposal, the cabinet must start working on it. We keep track of whether the cabinet also implements this. 

Test and school advice: don’t choose a level too early 

Instead of six different tests, there will again be one secondary school transition test in group 8. Parents & Education support this. In September, we sent a letter to the House of Representatives about this test and asked to select children later.

On this topic, the House now takes two steps: 

• Before group 7, student monitoring systems must not automatically predict what level a child will get later; 
• Tests in the student monitoring system should mainly show what a child can already do. They should not show how a child performs compared to other children. 

In addition, the House has adopted that the new test must be accessible to all children, including children with a disability (SP). 

The cabinet must also look at a broader file for the transition to secondary school. It should not only contain the result of the test, but also the teacher’s judgment and the development of the child must count (CDA). 

This fits with what parents told us in Staat van de Ouder 2026: one grade never tells the whole story. 

Tailored education and the transition to inclusive education 

In May, parents still gave tailored education a 4.2. This appeared from our Tailored Education monitor. Together with more than twenty parent and student organizations, we asked for a clear plan with interim steps to move towards inclusive education by 2035.

In the spring of 2027, the state secretary will present the first step of this plan. This step concerns the period up to and including 2029. 

With the adopted motions, the House has set extra requirements for the plan. For example, it must state what schools need. Think of enough staff and good support (SP and BBB). 

There must still be enough special education after 2035 (SP). Special education must not be smaller as long as children cannot get the help they need elsewhere (BBB). There must also be enough temporary places in every region for children who cannot sit in a regular classroom for a while. For example, a time-out place or a rebound facility (JA21). 

Out‑of‑school children 

There are still many children who do not go to school. Parent association Balans therefore sent a legal letter to the state last week. 

The House has adopted a proposal from D66 to make more fixers available in more places. These are people who help when a child gets stuck between school and care. They can ensure that a solution comes faster. 

Extra time at exams: less research needed 

Some students get extra time at their final exam. A statement from an expert is often needed for this. 

Children are sometimes re-examined for this, while the school has known them for years. The House has therefore adopted a proposal from practical education track: schools get a clear manual, so that as little extra research as possible is needed. 

Well-being: school must be a safe place 

In June, almost half of the parents said in our research that their child regularly suffers from stress, performance pressure or fear of failure. 

The House has adopted proposals from Christian Union, JA21 and PVV. These proposals emphasize that school can help in creating a calm environment, clear structure and a nice group where children feel better. 

You can find the full results of the votes on the motions here:  

Motions submitted at the two-minute debate tailored education  

Motions submitted at the two-minute debate tests and exams 

Motions submitted at the two-minute debate mental health of pupils and students