Dutch education minister sees insufficient results in basic skills plan, wants more focus on language

Dutch children's reading and math skills remain a significant concern, with recent government efforts failing to produce the desired improvements. State Secretary for Education Judith Tielen acknowledged in a letter to parliament that millions in subsidies since 2022 have not achieved their "desired effect."

International PISA assessments highlight the severity of the issue, revealing that one in three 15-year-olds lack sufficient literacy skills, falling well below the OECD average. The situation in mathematics is similarly dire, with one in four students performing below par.

Despite the "Masterplan basisvaardigheden" (Masterplan Basic Skills) launched in 2022, which allocated 1.5 billion euros to help schools enhance education in language, math, digital literacy, and civic education, Tielen believes more focus is needed. While the Central Planning Bureau (CPB) noted in late 2025 that effects on learning outcomes might take time to materialize, Tielen stated that "after four years, the results should really have been better."

Consequently, Tielen intends to pivot towards prioritizing language education, believing it is "essential for the development of students" and will foster progress in other areas. While the Masterplan itself will continue, the state secretary aims to embed language development across all subjects, not just dedicated language classes. Further initiatives will target teacher training programs and school libraries, with specific details expected in the autumn.