Category: School

Is the Dutch Secondary Education System Working?
School

Is the Dutch Secondary Education System Working?

Turning_Dutch

The Dutch secondary education system streamlines children into three levels from day one based on their academic ability. When my eldest started secondary school, I was a fan of this system. As he approaches the end of his school ‘career’, I have seen enough to have some serious doubts. There are many reasons to be concerned about the state of the Dutch secondary education system.

The Dutch Secondary Education System

For those of you new to the the Dutch secondary education system, it is not the simplest system. There are abbreviations for everything and different levels of schooling, depending on the final advice from a child’s primary school.

Tip: Read Help! We’re About to Navigate the Dutch Secondary Education System for an explanation of the three levels and more information and links to information about the Dutch secondary education system.

This is in stark contrast to the English secondary education I went through many decades ago. It was a question of choosing the school you wanted to go to, and there was one level of schooling – i.e. working towards G.C.S.E exams taken at the age of 16. Some children took fewer G.C.S.E exams than others and I remember maths classes being split into three groups depending on ability levels. But that was the extent of streaming as far as I can remember.

Why I Was Once a Fan of Early Streaming

It seemed like a good idea to me to put children of the same kind of academic level together. Some children like learning the theory and from books (on laptops), some don’t. Some learn better by doing. This perceived plus point was reinforced to me by talking to other parents. Some children have a clear idea of the kind of profession they want to do later and want to travel that path early on. Some children know they would like to go into higher education. So different streams for different needs.

And as I wrote in a blog post many years ago, the Dutch secondary education system is flexible.

Flexibility Within the System

Before you panic and think the system is forcing your child down a path at an early age, (my initial thoughts when I realised how different the system is compared to the British education system I went through) the Dutch system also offers flexibility.

Should it be clear that a child is not following the right level, they can move between MAVO, HAVO and VWO – up or down. VMBO students can move to HAVO at a later stage.

Help! We’re About to Navigate the Dutch Secondary Education System

Flexible Education System at What Cost?

The fact is that a twelve year old child is different from the sixteen year old version of themselves. Some children develop academically more quickly than others. Some lose their way. And then we come back to that flexibility…. Yes, a child struggling with VWO can move to HAVO, a child excelling at MAVO can move up to HAVO. Great.

But if we dissect this, it’s soon clear that this can be dramatic for a teenager. Even after four years of doing VWO a child can find themselves struggling and have to transfer to HAVO. Four years of building up a social network, a group of solid friends. And then BAM – they have to start all over again. And anyone with a teenager will know how hard this can hit. Within the Dutch education system, this streaming means that academic success trumps the social-emotional development of a child. It can make a teenager feel like a failure. It’s a mental health disaster.

The Negative Side of Streaming Children Early

The other question this early streaming raises is this: does it limit a child’s options? Are they pushed into a box so early that they can no longer get out?

The Netherlands is backwards in this, alas. There is early streaming based on assumed ability, which will make children and their parents think the child is either smart or can only work with his hands. Which will affect the future of that child.

Roelien den Ouden

A 2024 European Commission report also highlights some issues and criticisms of early streaming within the Dutch education system:

Early tracking may increase inequalities. Dutch children are streamed into different secondary education tracks by performance-based selection at age 12. This can lead to inequalities as pupils with the same cognitive capacities, but different backgrounds, may end up at different educational levels (Education Council, 2021). In 2021, the Education Council published an opinion on later selection in response to a request from the government. It recommended abolishing the end-of-primary test and postponing the time of selection until after the first 3 years of secondary school to make education more accessible.

Education and Training Monitor 2024

Is the Dutch Secondary Education System Working?

Tests, Tests and More Tests

In order to determine whether a child is at the right level of education, a school needs to continually assess that child. At the end of every chapter taught, there is a test to see if the pupil has grasped the topic. That’s fine right? Until you hear that the results of each and every test is put into the system (Magister), every test is weighted, and each result goes towards an average that will determine at the end of the school year whether or not a pupil:

  • moves to the next year of the study
  • redoes the school year
  • moves to a different level entirely

There is a constant pressure on a child to keep performing well in tests throughout the entire school year. And when I say throughout the year, I mean random and constant. As illustration, last school year (at HAVO and VWO levels): my (then) 12 year old had 12 tests and two marked assignments between the end of August and the start of November, my (then) 13 year old had 8 (but has a reduced subject list due to long covid) and my eldest had 10 tests, two marked assignments and in the toetsweek (exam week) starting the following week the class had another nine tests, making it 19 tests in three months. It’s enough to make your head spin.

And to make matters worse, if it would seem from test results that the subject matter hasn’t been understand well by much of the class the subject matter is not revisited. The class moves on to the next chapter, highlighting that it’s about the results and not about what has sunk into a child’s brain!

Final Year – Exam Year

In the fifth and final year of HAVO, every test my child sits in the course of a year counts towards his end exam result. Every single test. It’s the end of January and my son has 21 different results in so far, all counting towards his final marks. And there are plenty more tests to come – with state exams starting in May (counting for 50% of the final exam marks). The pressure is constant.

Results, Results and More Results

Test results are generally posted on Magister. They can appear at any time – evenings, weekends. There’s no switching off as pupils await their results. There’s nothing like a red 3 appearing in the system to ruin a teenager’s weekend.

And parents have access to these results too. There is an ongoing trial to stop parents seeing test results (link in Dutch), stating that parental pressure is not helping. The idea is that pupils inform parents about their results when they see fit.

My only comment on this would be that perhaps the pressure on pupils stems predominantly from the fact that there is constant testing and results can appear at any moment…. perhaps there is werk aan de winkel here too.

The School Timetable

Those of you who follow me on BlueSky will know I sometimes throw out a post about the number of cancelled lessons on my children’s timetables. There are weeks when it is shocking. Unlike my days of going to school from 9am to 3.30pm regardless of whether a teacher was ill, attending a funeral or had died overnight (only three reasons teachers were permitted to be absent), the Dutch system often drops lessons, particularly in the upper school, with a moment’s notice. Kids will be on their way to school before they realise there is actually no lesson to go to on arrival.

The national teacher shortage (link is to a Dutch article) does nothing to help this. As in other countries, teaching has become an unattractive profession. Long Covid has also played a role in the teacher shortage.

Timetables do not have a structured start or end time and are often littered with tussenuurtjes (free/study periods).

A Nation of Happy Children?

At the same time as a high level of lesson cancellation, it’s not unusual for one of my children to have lessons until 4.45pm and get home at 5.30pm. Eating, hobbies, jobs, homework and study are squeezed into what is left of the evening. It’s a more rigorous schedule than many face in the workplace, where part-time working is popular. Maybe their long school days have taught Dutch people to take control of their calendars once they reach adulthood and are able to…… just a thought.

Within very little time of having a child in the Dutch secondary education system, I started to wonder how it is that Dutch children always come out so high in happiness surveys.

And I am not the only one to question this.

The consistently high scores for Dutch students also sit uncomfortably against a recent mania for testing and evaluation in this small country, which has breached all boundaries of common sense and kindness. As grades have plummeted in literacy and maths, standardised testing, provided by commercial firms, has proliferated. Many primary schools give children multiple formal tests each year. At secondary level, some schools spend three entire weeks a year* on testing. Public health organisations report that teenage stress levels are rising.

The Guardian

*Incidentally, in my sons’ school, three entire weeks of testing per year would be an improvement on their current situation. Each toetsweek is 1 ½ weeks long and there are tests in between the three annual toetsweken.

Performance Trends in Key Subjects

A European Commission report in 2024 also reveals a worrying downwards trend (in the EU as a whole, by the way) when it comes to performance in reading, mathematics and science. For example, the Netherlands is seeing a steeper decline in reading performance than the EU average. The notable increase in vacancies for Dutch teachers will certainly not be helping this alarming decline.

Trends in performance in reading, PISA mean scores, 2003-2022

Science and maths see declining levels too, but performance remains above the EU average in these areas.

Trends in performance in mathematics, PISA mean scores, 2003-2022
Trends in performance in science, PISA mean scores, 2003-2022

Underachievement is increasing, particularly among disadvantaged children. (As the parent of a child with severe issues because of Long Covid, I am more aware than most of the issues when your child falls outsides the boundaries of regular education, but that is probably a post for another day).

So early streaming and constant testing isn’t having the desired impact on the performance in key subjects either.

The Future?

It must be said that the general standard of the Dutch education system remains good, particularly higher education. Internationally, Dutch education features high on the list but the quality is stagnating, despite many ‘reforms’. And as you have read, the secondary education system has its fair share of growing problems.

Private Schools

There are also concerns about the growing number of private schools opening up in the Netherlands. There are fears that the doubling of private schools in the past two years will lead to a two-tier society. Are parents turning to private schools because the education system in general is failing children? It is food for thought.

Government Plans

In my opinion, the Dutch secondary education system looks promising in theory but in practice is in need of an overhaul. All trends indicate a looming crisis within the Dutch secondary school system, ranging from the issue of a teacher shortage as well as teacher quality (a consequence of the lack of teachers), a widening gap beween advantaged and disadvantaged children, teenage mental health concerns and performance in key school subjects.

So what is the current government doing to address these issues?

A huge cut to the money for the education system (from primary to higher) is planned. And I mean HUGE. Schoof Cabinet’s government programme: largest education cut this century remains in place

…..on Budget Day it becomes clear how the pain of the cutbacks will be shared in the coming years – at least, in part. The bill will not only be paid by higher education, but also by primary education and secondary vocational education. These sectors will structurally lose more than 700 million euros. Among other things, initiatives for more equal opportunities will be affected, but also teachers in the Randstad region where the teacher shortage is the greatest. For some cutbacks, large amounts are already being booked without the government knowing how they will be implemented.

AoB.nl

A little light at the end of the tunnel? There are encouraging trends when it comes to teacher training numbers, with slight increases in the numbers being attracted to train to become the teachers of the future.

But all in all, the picture is not a rosy one.

Over to You

I would LOVE to hear about your experiences of the Dutch education system (and those in other countries for that matter) from primary to higher education. Is it a positive experience? What do you think about early streaming? Do you fear for the future of the education system in the Netherlands? Let me know in the comments below or on social media (Facebook or BlueSky).

autumn leaves
Children, Culture, Netherlands, School

Watch Out, There’s a Kabouter About

Turning_Dutch

The leaves are turning more and more orange and red as each day passes. The evenings are getting darker and the sun seems to have left for a long vacation of its own, leaving the rain and wind to their own devices. Yes, autumn is here and in the Netherlands that means it’s kabouter season.

What is a Kabouter?

If you have a young child then you will almost certainly imminently hear the word kabouters.

And you’ll learn lots more about kabouters from your pre-school and group 1 and 2 children in the coming weeks.

A kabouter is the Dutch equivalent of a gnome or an Irish leprechaun. Adorned with a full white beard (the males in any case) and a red pointy hat these little mythical beings live underground or in mushrooms. They usually have big, round bellies and pouchy, rosy cheeks. Some kabouters bring good luck. Others are a bit naughty. But not to worry because they seem to be quite shy of human beings.

There’s a Song Too

You are also sure to hear this children’s song in the coming weeks:

A Famous Kabouter or Two

The most famous kabouter you will hear about is probably Kabouter Plop. If you are lucky, you don’t get to hear anything more than the name.

Another is Paulus de boskabouter, a character in a strip comic dating back to the 1940’s which ran for near 40 years. And yes, there’s a kids’ program too. You’re welcome.

Kabouterfeest

There’s also a good chance your child will be involved in a kabouterfeest – a kabouter party – in school. So if you are really lucky you’ll get to dress your child in red and green clothes, adorn your child with a white beard (think cotton wool), rosy cheeks and then stuff a cushion down their trousers….

kabouter

Enjoy the kabouter season!

School

How Would Introducing School Uniforms In Dutch Schools Go Down?

Turning_Dutch

At the start of every school year there’s a heated discussion about the existence of school uniforms in Britain. This school year was no different. The BBC approached me to comment on school uniforms in the Netherlands for a regional news program. The premise being, there are actually countries without school uniforms. In my time in the Netherlands I have only ever seen a school uniform once – at the British school in Voorschoten.

School Uniforms in Britain

The debate around school uniforms centre around costs and bullying, in broad terms.

Cost of School Uniforms

School uniforms are not cheap, particularly when you consider all of the items you need to get your hands on.

It was bad enough when I was in school – white shirt, maroon A-line skirt, maroon and white striped tie, maroon blazer with school badge adorned on it, maroon jumper, white summer shirt, gym skirt, gym knickers and socks and a gym shirt. And I hope my mind is playing tricks on me, but I suspect not, I think there may have been a maroon leotard too. God forbid.

school uniforms

Seems like things haven’t changed all that much. One mother told me she paid £300 for the school uniform for one child. However, it was also pointed out that you can get school uniform items in large supermarket chains these days. Which reduces the cost.

Cost however, remains an issue when it comes to the school uniform debate. And it is also something the British government claims to be looking into. Local community initiatives (such as the YMCA scheme in Halifax) are sprouting up to combat this issue.

Bullying

The other central argument, this time in favour of school uniforms, is that they discourage bullying amongst children. Children (from poorer backgrounds) face bullying in school because they are not wearing the right brand of clothes, or they are not fashionable enough. Uniforms put everyone in the same boat and everybody looks the same.

It’s definitely a valid argument. It takes pressure off children to live up to peer standards.

But school uniforms by no means eliminates bullying outright. Does a brand new uniform have the same vibe as one that has been passed down from an older sibling? What about shoes? School bag? Let’s face it, children will find something to tease or bully others about. And that’s an issue that every school must deal with. (Tip: if you ask a school what they do about bullying and they say there is no bullying here, move along quickly).

Other Advantages of School Uniforms

Time. Hassle. School uniforms reduce both. No messing about in the mornings in front of the mirror.

So What About School Uniforms in Dutch Schools?

So prompted by the BBC request, I threw a question out to my followers on Twitter:

A question for parents of kids in Dutch schools: how would you feel if you were told your child had to start wearing a school uniform?

Twitter @AmandavMulligen

It was a popular tweet (by my usual standards) with 13,843 impressions. In short, it’s a divisive topic. Hence why the BBC Look North program was running an item about school uniforms. It gets people shouting at each other talking.

So let’s get to it. How do parents with kids in Dutch schools feel about introducing a school uniform? Here’s a sample:

So I Talked to My Dutch Kids About School Uniforms…..

I asked my two eldest sons what they thought of the idea of wearing a school uniform and my fourteen year old and I had a thoughtful discussion on the topic. He saw the primary benefit of a school uniform as the feeling of belonging it would bring. However, in his eyes, that in itself isn’t enough to outweigh the issue that a school uniform stifles self-expression. He stated eloquently,

“Some children find it extremely important to express themselves through their clothing. How would they express themselves with a school uniform?”

He said he would not like to be told what clothes he can put on in the morning.

“Sometimes I want to wear my jeans, and sometimes my jogging bottoms. Depends on my mood.”

We also talked about whether children are bullied about their clothing. He hasn’t ever heard anyone making comments about classmates’ clothes. It didn’t seem to be a widespread issue among those commenting on Twitter either, but whether that is representative I don’t know.

Anyone any experience of their children being bullied in a Dutch school about clothes? Share below. It must go on, but how widespread is it?

Mr 11’s answer to my question was simply,

“Kak.”

There was enthusiasm for a uniform in one tiny corner of the Twitterverse, but there are clear conditions attached:

It’s All About Culture

And then there’s this response, which I personally thinks hits the nail on the head. This is why I am convinced school uniforms will never play a role in normal Dutch school life:

It comes down to culture. And that was also my comment for the Look North news program: school uniforms are not a discussion point here. They are just not part of the Dutch culture.

It’s a culture where children in junior schools call their teachers by their first names (with Juffrouw or Meester in front). It’s not a culture that would promote everyone wearing the same thing.

But to leave you with an amusing thought – just imagine the cycle paths in the morning if Dutch children did have to wear a school uniform…..

Finally… the BBC Program

For those of you wondering about the BBC program itself. It couldn’t be seen here in the Netherlands without a VPN thingie or suchlike as the IPlayer is not available outside the UK. I have seen it recorded on a phone, but I am not allowed to share it. Helaas pindakaas.

In any case I would love to hear your views on school uniforms – love them or hate them? Did you used to wear one? Does your child wear one now? Would you like to see them introduced in the Netherlands? Or scrapped in Britain?

COVID Infections in Dutch Schools
Health, School

COVID Infections in Dutch Schools

Turning_Dutch

How is it going in terms of COVID infections in schools here in the Netherlands? Secondary schools reopened here in the Netherlands at the beginning of March. In general terms, we are firmly in the claws of a third COVID-19 wave, with infections rising rapidly, as predicted back in February by the RIVM. In fact, it’s going so brilliantly (that’s sarcasm by the way) intensive bed numbers in Dutch hospitals are being scaled back up. That rise in infections in the general population is reflected in secondary schools too.

Measures in Dutch Secondary Schools – The Theory

So, as I mentioned, secondary schools reopened their physical doors on the 1st March. The idea is that schools implement measures to contain the number of COVID infections in schools. So, speaking from our own experience, the measures are:

I actually cannot, top of my head, think of anything else that has been put in place.

So this is the theory. What about the practice?

Measures in Dutch Secondary Schools – The Reality

Here are a few observations about the reality of life in school during this pandemic for my son.

The couples that children sit in are changing each lesson. So, there is close contact with far more than just one child in the class.

Fewer children are currently wearing face masks in school than a few weeks back.

There are sometimes more than 100 children sitting together in the canteen for breaks and lunch. Let that sink in.

The class walks from class to class together as a group, all within 1.5m of each other.

There’s a feeling that the measures were strictly enforced in the beginning but that’s loosened as the weeks have gone by.

COVID Infections in the Class

On day one my son came home with the message that the other half of his couple had had to go home half way through the morning because of a positive test for a family member. Day one. Off to a great start.

We heard nothing from school. My son had to flag the situation with his tutor. A negative test later for the other half of his couple and back to a semblance of normality. (Little did we know then that there would later be a positive test come back at the end of the quarantine period for his classmate). By the end of that week my son also had symptoms fitting with a potential COVID infection. So he was tested. Negative. Possibly the flu, as his brothers at junior school probably had.

And then to last week. I received a message from my son during his first lesson. All the girls had been sent home to quarantine because of a positive test for one of the girls. The ‘changing partners in the lessons’, and the ‘all sitting together within 1.5 meters during the breaks’ meant that school deemed the girls to be close contacts. Because, of course, the reality is that COVID infections in schools spread as they do anywhere else – despite what you may hear from so called experts trying to placate parents.

Since then there are certainly three positive tests in the class.

The Role of the GGD (Health Authority)

In the absence of any communication whatsoever, we contacted the school. The school is waiting for the GGD. Once the GGD has done contact tracing they will issue the school with a case number and the rest of the class can then get themselves tested on the basis of this case number. As of last Friday, the school had not heard from the GGD. Five days after the first confirmed case.

And so we are still awaiting any kind of communication from school. Three positive tests confirmed amongst 18 children. And to date not a single word from school. Nor the GGD.

COVID Infections in Dutch Schools

What Should Happen if There is a COVID Infection in the Class?

Those in close contact with an infected pupil/teacher must quarantine and are classed as category 2 contacts. In my son’s class this has happened as it should have.

The rest of the class (including any teachers that been physically in the class with them) is classified as category 3 contacts. Here is what should have happened for the rest of the class in the events of COVID infections in schools:

“De overige contacten (categorie 3) mogen wel naar school komen en hoeven conform het BCO-protocol niet in quarantaine. Deze contacten krijgen het advies om zich op of rond dag 5 na het laatste contactmoment met de besmettelijke persoon te laten testen, ook als zij geen klachten hebben (zie ook het BCO-protocol). Daarnaast is het dringende advies om bij het ontstaan van klachten tijdens de 10 dagen na het contact met de besmettelijke persoon zich te laten testen, ook als een eerdere test negatief was.”

RIVM’s Own Guidelines

For those of you who are still learning Dutch it basically says this: category 3 contacts can go to school and do not need to go in quarantine. The advice is to get tested around day 5 after the last contact with the infected person, even if they are not experiencing any symptoms. If there are symptoms, and even after an earlier negative test, another test should be taken within ten days after contact.

Aside from the obvious flaws in this policy, none of this has been communicated by school nor the GGD. The ‘5 days after contact’ point for my son was last week. Therefore the communication needed to be immediate for this ‘advice’ to be followed by the rest of the class, classified as category 3 contacts.

And Now?

We are now on day 8 following the confirmation of the first COVID infection in my son’s class. After his initial bout of symptoms during the first week back physically in school my son has had a constant wave of symptoms. And last week was no different. Back with a vengeance was the sore throat, headache, blocked nose, nausea and diarrhoea. So he was again tested, again negative. But he still has symptoms, and according to the advice above should be tested for a second time this week.

Is he having fun yet?

No he’s not.

On top of this 12 lessons were dropped from his timetable last week alone. Sick and quarantining teachers. This bit he minds less than the infection risk. However, his parents mind a lot.

Infections in the school last week were six times the number they were the week before.

Don’t get me wrong, I know school are up against it. Schools were already struggling. And a pandemic hasn’t made things easier. However, our own personal experience is not positive. Not even remotely positive.

What worries more is that this may just be the tip of the iceberg we are about to hit.

school
Health, School

We’re Reopening Dutch Primary Schools: Discuss

Turning_Dutch

Primary schools in the Netherlands are allowed to reopen on the 8th of February. Under certain conditions. Secondary schools will continue teaching online until at least the 1st of March. According to the Outbreak Management Team (OMT), reopening Dutch primary schools and creches is a risk that will certainly lead to more COVID-19 infections and hospitalisations. But the healthcare system can cope, they say.

Needless to say, there are mixed feelings all round.

Second Lockdown

The Netherlands has been in a second national lockdown since 15 December. All schools and and child care facilities closed a day later and lessons moved online. Online learning has impacted some children more than others. Some parents have found it tough going too. Particularly those receiving no leniency from their employers.

Personal Experience

This lockdown around the boys’ primary school was better prepared. They clearly had a plan, just in case the not so unthinkable happened.

Mr 10 is more than happy to do his school work from home, enjoying working in a quiet environment. He’s able to work a lot quicker.

Mr 9 however, misses the social buzz of working in a classroom and is easily distracted having to work alone. It means he’s needed a lot of supervision. From me.

All in all, however, they are doing just fine. As is their older brother, who is 14 and in secondary school. His class has formed little study groups and they are constantly online together to do the work set for them. He misses going into school, and hates that he is missing out on doing practical physics experiments, but this lockdown period is certainly going better than the first one.

I know that other parents have had other experiences. These are difficult circumstances.

Reopening Dutch Primary Schools

During the press conference on Tuesday, Dutch PM Rutte confirmed that schools will reopen next Monday (8 February). There are, however, conditions and measures attached to the reopening.

  • Rapid corona tests will be available. (Of course they will.)
  • If one person tests positive for the virus all classmates or group, as well as class teachers, must quarantine for five days. At this point, as long as there is a negative test, the class may return.
  • Tests are not obigatory, but without a test a child must quarantine for ten days instead of five.
  • Group 7 and 8 children in particular should wear face masks outside of the classroom, as should teachers.
  • Children should work in small groups socially distanced from others.
  • Schools should stagger start and break times.
  • Parents should drop younger children off outside the school gates, and wear face masks.

The reality of this could well be wildly different from the theory.

Class sizes would need to be dramatically reduced to enable social distancing in a classroom. Even in a small class of 18, as is the case in my sons’ class, keeping 1.5 meters distance between each couple/group is nigh on impossible.

Some parents have already outed their reluctance to have their children tested. And I am expressing that mildly.

And then there’s this: 26% of those testing positive for a COVID test refuse to quarantine.

In other words, safely reopening the schools and creches relies on co-operation that schools may not see from all parents.

Online schooling

How Do Parents Feel About Reopening Dutch Primary Schools?

I could share social media posts at this point, but I will spare you that. Instead, I have scouted around on Twitter for opinions on reopening Dutch primary schools. I now may need to bleach my eyes. It’s a cess pool mixed bag.

Some parents are screaming for schools to open.

Some state that this is corona stuff is all nonsense and schools should never have closed in the first place, oh and whilst we are opening schools the curfew needs to be dumped and the government needs to open everything else up too.

And there are parents who are adamant the schools should not open Monday.

There are also a lot of parents in the middle, uncertain about the implications of reopening and the impact of measures on the kids.

How Does Staff Feel About Reopening Dutch Primary Schools?

The impending third wave warnings from the OMT and the conflicting government action of reopening Dutch primary schools is causing mixed emotions.

Teachers, particularly those personally or with family members in the higher risk groups, are concerned about safety as the British variant takes a hold in the Netherlands. The main feeling is “happy the kids can come back to school, but……..”

Measures Needed to Reopen the Schools

And then there’s the practicality of it all. Schools can open, but as I mentioned above, under certain conditions.

The government released documentation about the exact nature of those conditions yesterday afternoon, which the various organisations representing the primary education sector could then translate into actionable measures.

De randvoorwaarden voor de opening van de scholen zijn op dinsdagavond nog niet duidelijk. Samen met de PO-Raad, de Algemene Onderwijsbond (AOb) en de Algemene Vereniging Schoolleiders (AVS) buigt de bond zich woensdag over protocollen waarin concrete, haalbare maatregelen moeten komen. “Dat maakt dat het voor veel scholen nu gewoon te kort dag is om alles goed te regelen”, aldus de woordvoerder.

Bond twijfelt of opening scholen maandag haalbaar is: Nu.nl

Some school boards doubt whether the implementation of the necessary measures can be achieved by Monday. How the recommendations translate into actions in the classrooms are causing teachers across the country headaches.

Aside from physical space to separate children, I wonder how a teacher will continue to provide lessons to a group quarantining at home and a physical group in the class. Or how lessons online will continue when a whole class sits at home in quarantine but a teacher is sick. There are lots of issues to work out.

Makes you wonder when anyone from the Ministery of Education last stepped foot in an actual primary school classroom, but that’s a topic for another day.

Some school groups have already informed parents that their schools will not reopen on Monday. This is due to safety concerns, and the time needed to implement recommended measures.

We hear tomorrow how our school group is handling the reopening.

It is also worth noting, that as Dutch primary schools scramble to implement safety measures, France has already tightened their school measures taking them well beyond Dutch proposals.

The Other Side of the Story

Reopening Dutch primary schools has been a government priority since it was clear that conditions weren’t favourable enough for them to reopen at the beginning of the year.

There are continuing concerns about vulnerable children schooling from home, and children falling behind. There are also concerns about their social development.

All are definite valid concerns for some children. There can be no argument that children belong in school. But online schooling is not all bad news. As this teacher points out:

And of course, there are some children who are actually thriving schooling at home. 

Over to You

I think we can all agree that children should be in school. But the question is should that be at any cost? How do you feel about schools reopening? What measures are your kids’ schools putting in place? If you are a teacher, how are you feeling about standing in front of your classes on Monday? I would love to hear from you.

Health, School

Dutch Primary Schools Are Set to Reopen – How?

Turning_Dutch

On the 21st April the Prime Minister announced that Dutch primary schools will partially reopen from May 11th, after the meivakantie. Parents have mixed responses.

Coronavirus Shuts Down Schools

Dutch schools closed on the 16th of March because parents en masse kept their children home. The Dutch government had little choice but to follow the informal voting pattern of parents, and close schools.

Since then parents have been doing their best to help their kids with school work at home, directed online by teachers.

I can’t speak for all parents, and I know I certainly don’t, but here it went okay. I noticed the last week before the vacation began that the younger two boys’ motivation was beginning to lag.

Press Conference 21 April

True to the expectations, PM Rutte confirmed that primary schools would be reopening in May. Partially. Schools are free to fill in how that will work.

Secondary schools will follow suit from 1 June, depending on the impact that reopening primary schools has on the spread of the coronavirus. Secondary schools will have to adhere to 1.5m social distancing. Implying that primary school does not.

At the same time, the PM announced that outdoor sports clubs would also reopen their doors for children from the 29th April. Children under 12 do not have to adhere to the 1.5m distance rule, but children above the age of 12 do. Which is an interesting idea when it comes to most team sports – even during training. Teams will play no matches – a kick about and training only.

How Will Dutch Schools Reopen?

As schools can ascertain themselves how they reopen, there is no one answer to how the reopening will look from 11 May. I can tell you how our school plans to reopen its doors to pupils.

The school directors are implementing practical measures based on safety and hygiene. This means that school is introducing measures that primarily reduce contact moments between children and teachers and children.

Here’s the theory.

School Times & Classes

Children will attend school every day, with the exception of a Wednesday, which is one week on and one week off. Siblings attend school during the same dagdeel.

Children will be in school for a period of two and a half hours.

Classes will be split in half. Half attend school in the morning, and the other half in the afternoon. This rota will switch around every week.

Hygiene & Social Distancing

Parents must not enter the school. Wherever possible, children should come to and from school on their own. For bringing and picking up the younger children, parents must adhere to the 1.5m rule.

Personnel will thoroughly clean everything in the hour between one group finishing and another starting.

There will be hand gel stations outside the classrooms and at the entrances to the school. Teachers will encourage regular hand washing.

Wherever possible, hallways and public areas will be one way traffic, and tape will clearly outline the direction for the children.

Outside play times will be kept at a minimum, thus reducing contact moments.

Eating in school will be kept to a minimum.

Children will not celebrate their birthdays in school.

Should children fall and need first aid or a plaster etc, the teachers will wear protective gloves.

Lessons

Teachers will concentrate on core subjects: maths, Dutch, spelling and reading.

Teachers will also dedicate time for children to talk about their experiences during the past two months schooling at home.

No external teaching staff will be allowed in school: German, gym and music lessons are given by externals in our school.

The Classrooms

Teachers will set tables apart from each other in order to distance children from each other.

There will be a plexiglass shield around the instruction table, essentially around the teacher’s table. Teachers will keep 1.5m away from children. The teachers will not circulate around the class unless absolutely necessary. Children will come to the instruction table should they need help.

National Rules Apply

It almost goes without saying, but all other rules already in place apply to schools reopening. If you are sick you don’t go to school. If anyone in the family has COVID-19, do not go to school.

What Do Parents Think of the Plan for Dutch Schools to Reopen?

The majority of parents and teachers welcome the reopening of Dutch primary schools. But there is certainly an air of caution.

Some parents have outed their opinion that it is not safe for school to reopen and they will be keeping their children home. For now, school inspectors will not fine those parents who refuse to send their children to school because of safety concerns. However, it also seems that parents do not have a free pass to simply keep their children home without any consequences.

Children, parents and teachers who fall within the coronavirus risk groups may stay away from schools.

Secondary Schools

When I see the range of measures that our primary school is introducing I am left wondering how on earth secondary schools will be able to reopen with social distancing in mind.

Is it Safe for Dutch Schools to Reopen?

The big question on everyone’s lips is, of course, whether reopening Dutch schools is safe at this point.

Read: Should the Government Reopen Dutch Schools?

Jaap van Dissel, director of the Centrum Infectieziektebestrijding of the RIVM, has stated time and time again that children play only a small role in spreading the coronavirus and are at little risk of becoming seriously ill should they become infected with COVID-19.

The German equivalent of the RIVM has a different opinion and has therefore advised that only the exam classes return to school at the present time.

In Denmark, children returned to school a few weeks ago. Reports state that the reopening of schools has led to an increase in the transmission rate (R rate) of the coronavirus from 0.6 to 0.9. However, so long as the R rate remains under 1 there is no cause for panic.

Is is safe for Dutch schools to reopen? Only time will answer that. The argument is that we have to start somewhere with loosening the lock down measures that have been taken.

And those parents who feel like their children are being used as proefkonijnen? I can’t see how anyone could say that feeling is not a justified one at the moment. No one actually has the answers yet.

Hats off to Teachers

What I do know is that the teachers involved with providing children with online education the past seven or eight weeks have done an amazing job.

The measures that schools are introducing to allow children to get back to school will require something new of our teachers. Instead of teaching, they will now be occupied primarily with the issues of safety, hygiene and social distancing. And almost as an afterthought with teaching our children the basics of maths and Dutch language.

There is already a huge shortage of Dutch teachers in the education system. This coronavirus crisis has tested teachers to the limits. And they have, in my eyes, passed the crisis test with flying colours.

I hope the Dutch government pays more attention to the value of the teaching profession in a post pandemic society.

Over to You

Will your child return to school on 11 May? Do you feel it is safe for schools to reopen at this stage? Has the coronavirus already hit your family? What concerns do you have moving forward? Let me know in the comments.

Should the Government Reopen Dutch Schools?
Health, School

Should the Government Reopen Dutch Schools?

Turning_Dutch

As I type the nation is hours away from an important press conference. This evening the Dutch prime minister will announce what will happen to the coronavirus crisis measures that are due to expire on the 28 April. One of those measures is the closure of all Dutch schools, which went into effect on the 16th March. Will the government reopen Dutch schools soon?

Schooling at Home

For some families schooling at home has been relatively easy to pick up and run with. For other families it has been harder. Much harder.

But for some children it has been impossible. Around 5000 children across the country dropped off school radars once schools closed. The impact of school closing on vulnerable and disadvantaged children is, of course, huge. School inspectors are attempting home visits to get in contact with these families, but it is an uphill battle.

Combining Work and School at Home

Talking from my own perspective, combining working with children schooling at home has been tough. If not impossible. I know I am not alone.

So should we calling for schools to be reopened as soon as possible?

Why Schools Closed in March

Schools began closing their doors after social distancing measures were announced on the 12th of March. Once people displaying any symptoms were told to stay at home it became difficult to keep many classes going. (There is already a teacher shortage in the Netherlands).

Parents became anxious. And schools responded.

So whilst the government insist that children don’t play a large role in spreading COVID-19, and show few symptoms if they do have the virus, schools were closed anyway. It became untenable. And this was certainly in line with what happened across the world.

Study Results: Reopen Dutch Schools?

Mark Rutte informed us of the start up of a Dutch study about children and the COVID-19 virus. Based on the results of this study the government would make a future decision about when to reopen Dutch schools.

That study had start up issues as researchers didn’t have enough test subjects (i.e. families) and results won’t be known until at least 1 June.

So the advice this evening will be based on research done elsewhere. Presumably.

Notably, Denmark and Germany have re-opened primary schools. With restrictions.

This Evening’s Press Conference – Will Dutch Schools Reopen?

This is the advice from the Outbreak Management Team to the government, in a document in the hands of the NOS:

  • Primary schools will reopen after the May break. Possibly operating with partial opening so the entire school is not in classes at the same time (which as far as I can see means partially online, partially in person schooling)
  • Sport clubs for the under 12s can reopen and kids do not have to social distance
  • Sport clubs for kids 12 to 18 can reopen whilst adhering to social distancing rules. (Am curious to see football training with kids 1.5 meters from each other at all times).
  • Rules for care home visits will remain unchanged
  • Dentists will be allowed to reopen with conditions
  • Secondary schools will reopen a month after primary schools. That’s once we know what impact opening primary schools has on the rate of infection

This is an excerpt from the NOS article linked above, which I just want to leave with you:

Als er een maand na de opening van de basisscholen geen grote uitbraken zijn geweest, dan kan het voortgezet onderwijs zich voorbereiden op het opstarten van “fysiek onderwijs”, in de klas. In deze schoolgebouwen moet wel de anderhalve meter afstand gehandhaafd worden.

Advies aan kabinet: kinderen weer naar opvang, deels naar basisschool en sport: NOS

COVID-19 and Children

Should the Government Reopen Dutch Schools?

The theory is that children don’t get particularly ill when they have COVID-19. They display few symptoms, if any at all. Research so far shows that around 3% of under 18s that have COVID-19 are seriously ill.

Around 16% of children with the virus has a fever and less than this percentage has respiratory issues.

What role children play in the spread of the virus isn’t really known yet.

It’s Probably Flu. Right?

Back on the 7th March I became sick. I spent two weeks feeling crap on the sofa or in bed. I assumed at the time it was flu. This was before the government implemented the coronavirus measures across the country. This was when eyes were firmly fixed on Brabant.

But the government then implemented measures to stop the spread of COVID-19 across the country. Instead of ‘don’t shake hands’ it was don’t go within 1.5 meters from each other.

Ten days into my illness I was out of breath doing normal things, like going upstairs. I developed a cough. Mild and only in the evening. It wasn’t persistent. I didn’t have a fever. It didn’t fit with the COVID-19 symptom warnings at the time. So flu we figured.

Thank goodness for the social distancing measures that were then in already in place.

My husband fell ill the second week after schools closed. He was already working at home at the time.

But little seeds of suspicion that it could be COVID-19 began to grow. Particularly when we realised that the biggest outbreak in Germany was in the area next to where we live. Germans from that province are regular visitors to our local shopping centre. My husband had been teaching for days in Eindhoven, where there were known cases too.

All possibles. But there was no way of knowing.

Three Sick Children……

Fast forward six weeks.

We just took our eight year old to a specially designated ‘corona centre’ because his symptoms (a cough) meant the GP couldn’t risk him going to the doctor’s surgery.

The doctor in the corona centre has no testing capability for COVID-19. Tests are only for those admitted to hospital (as was the case for the adult patient in front of my son in the queue). However, the doctor was as sure as she could be without a test that my son has COVID-19. And that what I had at the beginning of March was COVID-19. We can also assume that the rest of our family has been, or is, infected.

On March 13, one day after the social distancing rules were brought in to effect, my two youngest stayed home from school. Sore throat or cough? Stay home. That was the case with Mr 8 and Mr 10, so they didn’t go to school that day.

We have been up and down with their health ever since. Headaches, fatigue, nausea, a cough. And then a few days as right as rain. Then headaches again. And then okay. And then a reappearing cough. A day on the sofa with no energy.

And Mr 13 joined in too.

For six weeks this has been the picture in our house.

A few weeks ago we called the GP about Mr 8. He was prescribed an inhaler, we were told it was nothing to be alarmed about and it was probably bronchial.

And so last Friday a visit to the corona centre with Mr 8. Chest pain, difficulty breathing, extreme fatigue. Still described as mild symptoms, but debilitating for an eight year old that can do very little right now except sick it out on the sofa. The doctor told us to watch him like a hawk, as this virus can spiral the wrong way within half a day.

Anxious mother here? Yeah, you could say that.

…..and a Sceptical Mother

So try selling me the story that kids don’t get particularly ill with COVID-19. No hospitalisations here, and it hopefully stays that way, but the last few weeks haven’t been fun either. Nor free of worry.

My eldest son was later to the party so I can only assume he got the virus from one of his brothers.

At the moment we are in quarantine. Which looks pretty much like life as we have been living it since 13 March.

If there are changes to the measures in place for schools and sports for kids they will come into effect after the school holiday next week, or after 28 April.

I know for sure that my kids won’t be getting back to their football club next week, if a reopening is what is advised this evening. Whether they will be symptom free and heading back to primary school in May also remains to be seen….. Six weeks of symptoms and counting.

Over to You

It’s a divisive topic I know. Some parents want to see their kids back at school asap. Others, those with at risk children or family members, are less than enthusiastic. We were promised decisions based on the science. Do you feel there is enough research available to decide whether to reopen Dutch schools?

Where do you stand on this? What others measures do you think should be loosened? Or shelved completely? How’s it working out in other countries? Let me know your views!

7 Resources to Help You Whilst Dutch Schools Are Closed During the Coronavirus Crisis
Health, School

7 Resources to Help You Whilst Dutch Schools Are Closed During the Coronavirus Crisis

Turning_Dutch

The first week of schooling from home is achter de rug. Give yourself, the teachers and the kids a big round of applause. Hopefully it’s been workable for you. Everyone is adjusting, teachers are trying to work out the best tools for kids to use and parents are trying to get their head around working and schooling. Oh and feeding kids all day long! (Or is that just me?)

You can read how day one went here.

7 Resources to Help You Whilst Dutch Schools Are Closed During the Coronavirus Crisis

My work came to a grinding halt this week – simply because I need a computer and peace and quiet. Both were op this week. Next week, I need to find a way. Although I have been more active than normal on Twitter, if you want to catch up with me there. That’s easy to do with an iPad.

Resources: Dutch Language

One notable thing, particularly for those of you not using (much) Dutch in your home, is a problem keeping up Dutch language skills whilst the schools are closed. So, here are some great resources that you can use, which don’t require your intervention.

1. The Bibliotheek

If you are already a member of the local library then you can also head for the library website for audio and e-books for kids. Children can join the library for free.

2. Bol.com

Bol.com is selling a weekly selection of audio and e-books for the token amount of 1 euro cent.

3. Story Time on YouTube for 6 – 99 Year Olds

Marlies Slegers is reading her book, Gezocht: Normale Ouders each day on YouTube. It’s a funny, entertaining story. We’ve been tuning in and the kids are enjoying it. Lots of giggles. It’s never too late to catch up!

General Dutch Lessons or Fun Tasks

4. WWF – Nature and Enviroment

WWF has interesting lessons for children in group 5 to 8: https://www.wwf.nl/jeugd/educatie/toekomstkunde/lessen-thuis

5. Time Capsule Book

A teacher has created a book that you can keep called:
“EEN ZELFGEMAAKT BOEK OVER DE RARE TIJD IN 2020 TOEN WE NIET NAAR SCHOOL KONDEN OMDAT ER EEN CORONA VIRUS UITBRAAK WAS “

It’s full of tasks for kids to do. And then keep to look back on, a time capsule of this bizarre time. You can download the book from: https://simonevandenberg.nl

6. TV

Zapp is broadcasting fun and educational programs every afternoon, especially because the schools are shut.

Check out School TV for lots of educative programs for children from 0 to 18.

7.Big Life Journal

And lastly, if you are looking for great English language resources for kids that build confidence, resilience and a growth mindset head over to Big Life Journal.

For your convenience, this post may include affiliate links to products and books I find useful for the Turning Dutch community. They cost you nothing more to buy, but I get a small commission.

School

Opgejaagd: How Good is the Dutch Child Care & Primary Education System

Turning_Dutch

If you have babies, toddlers or primary school age children and enjoy podcasts I suggest you add Opgejaagd to your listening list.

Creativity and School

I recently wrote a post about what school does to a child’s creativity on the Happy Sensitive Kids blog and a reader recommended I listen to Jennifer Pettersson’s podcast.

I started listening to the first couple of episodes of Opgejaagd and quickly had that feeling of: it’s not just us!

headphones

Jennifer Pettersson

Originally from Sweden, Jennifer is a mother of two who has lived in the Netherlands for  more than twenty years.

She has always felt at home here in the land of the Dutch. Until she became a mother.

She felt uncomfortable with the way child care, and then the primary school education system, is organised here in the Netherlands. It is very different to her personal experience in Sweden.

She threw her thoughts out into the world, and was amazed to find that she certainly wasn’t alone. It lead to two years of research, resulting in the popular Opgejaagd podcast.

What is Opgejaagd About?

What do our children actually do in school once we drop them off there? What does a school day look like for our kids in the Dutch education system?

Why are our children subjected to so many tests and exams, at such an early age?

Why is there such a rush to get our children reading and doing maths? Shouldn’t kids be playing at the age of five and six?

Why are so many of our children screened for ADHD, ADD, autism, dyslexia? (Please raise your hand if your child has NOT been screened for something.……)

Why do so many children suffer from a fear of failure?

What is the impact of CITO testing on children?

What do the teachers think about all this?

What role does the school inspection system play in the obsession with testing?

I’m currently listening to episode six so there are lots more questions to come, I am sure.

Essential Listening for Parents

The Opgejaagd podcast is essential listening for anyone who has children under the age of twelve.

It is essential listening if you have ever come out of a school meeting wondering: is it just me?

This is a must listen for anyone who has to have a pep talk with their kids every evening about going to school the next day.

It raises lots of questions. But you are left wondering as you listen, who has all the answers?

Where Are All the Meesters in Our Schools?
School

Where Are All the Meesters in Our Schools?

Turning_Dutch

My son would like a meester, a male teacher. However, they are in short supply. And it’s not just in the Netherlands that this is an issue.

Hoping For a Meester

My then eight-year old’s teacher retired earlier in the year. He was disappointed with the news and I asked him if he already knew who would replace her.

“No,” he answered, “but I really hope I have a meester.” His wish for a male teacher stems from the fact that, despite being in his fifth year of school, he was yet to be taught by a man.

That’s certainly not to take anything away from his female teachers, but he felt a male standing before his class would be wonderful.

Predominantly Females in Dutch Primary Schools

The head of his school is female. The school counselor is female. The two teachers he had then were female.

He has one male teacher for his German lessons, but that class lasts thirty minutes a week at most.

In all the years before, at three different educational institutions, my son has only had female teachers.

Part Time Working in Education

In the Netherlands, primary schools accommodate working on a part-time basis; it is predominantly women who work part-time.

Where Are All the Meesters in Our Schools?

Male Teachers Are a Dying Species

The number of meesters in the Dutch primary system falls as each school year goes by. My eldest son had a male teacher for three days a week during his last year of primary school. However, that male teacher is also nearing retirement. The question is how much longer will there be any male presence in the school my boys attend?

The fact that women are the predominant gender in the primary education system is not news. The issue of a lack of male teachers is certainly not limited to the Netherlands.

And whilst we’re on the topic, there’s a teacher shortage fullstop! Males and females!

Why Are Males Not Attracted to Teaching?

So why are there so few men teaching in the primary education system?

  • The teaching profession does not pay well enough.
  • Teaching offers few career development opportunities.
  • Men would prefer to see more of a return to the basics – that teaching is more about giving lessons and less about administration and bureaucracy.

But I guess these wishes apply to women in teaching too.

There’s a financial issue and the problem of prestige.

But as a society we are exacerbating the issue because we see teaching as a female profession. And that needs to change. How? I don’t know.

Gender Stereotypes in the Workplace

We are making the effort to convince girls to move into STEM professions, but we also somehow need to attract men into the roles that are traditionally taken on my females: like teaching.

There are benefits for boys and girls when there are males in front of classes. Boys need role models in a place they spend so many hours of their lives. I sincerely hope my sons will have a male influence in the years to come in the education system. But it’s certainly not a given.

A Bit Like Buses, Now My Son Has Two Meesters

Here’s an update: as of the beginning of December 2019, my nine year old now regularly has two male teachers. Count ’em. Two. So if you are wondering where all the male teachers are – they’re in our school!

A version of this post was originally published on The Good Men Project.