Forum for Democracy Expands Its Ecosystem with New Almere Primary School

A new primary school with ties to the Forum for Democracy (FVD) party has opened in Almere, Netherlands, focusing on a curriculum that emphasizes a critical view of modern times and scientific consensus. The 'Renaissanceschool' aims to connect with a perceived ideal from classical antiquity, the Middle Ages, and the early modern period, suggesting that "the old Europe was better than the new." Its educational philosophy includes critically examining scientific theories, such as climate change, as "falsifiable theories." The school also proposes that biological differences between boys and girls might influence their education and seeks to move away from the "dogma of equality," prioritizing students who "excel" over those needing more support.

The FVD's ambition to build its own educational network is part of a broader strategy to foster a self-sufficient societal ecosystem for the party and its supporters. Former party leader Thierry Baudet has previously spoken of establishing a secondary school, university, payment system, and publishing house. This initiative also includes connecting entrepreneurs within the FVD network through an app and even a potential dating app. The idea of mandatory school uniforms, described as "just a nice polo or something," aligns with this vision of a cohesive FVD community.

This new school follows a previous attempt by Stichting Tocqueville, the foundation behind the school and of which Baudet is a board member, to open a private primary school in Almere in 2022. That earlier school, however, failed to secure state funding due to insufficient interest, with only seventeen parents expressing a need. Consequently, parents had to cover the costs themselves. The school closed in 2024 due to financial difficulties, having only three compulsory-age students in attendance by November of the previous year.

The current school's opening is facilitated by a new regulation introduced in 2021. This allows school boards to justify the need for a school based on market research projecting sufficient future student enrollment. This is permissible in areas with expected significant population growth, such as Almere Poort, where the 'founding norm' for the Renaissanceschool was set at 277 students. Notably, the location where interest was surveyed differs from the school's actual opening site.

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