The PO Council criticizes outgoing Minister Mariëlle Paul (Primary and Secondary Education) because of her research into lowering compulsory education and compulsory pre-school education for children with that need. The council indicates that the outgoing cabinet can really do something about equality of opportunity when they focus on accessible childcare, according to the Trade Association for Social Childcare.
Paul announced on Friday, March 29, that she will conduct research into lowering compulsory education. She wants to increase the age from 5 to 4 years old. She also indicated that she is conducting research into preschool education for children who really need it, in this case it would be an age of 2.5 years old. The PO Council indicates that 97 percent of four-year-olds already go to school and that it therefore does not make much sense to lower the age.
Obligation doesn’t work
The Primary Care Council indicates that they also believe it is important that children who need it receive preschool education, but the council doubts whether making this mandatory is the best way to encourage this. Preschool education initiatives are often linked to childcare, but due to administrative sloppiness, parents do not always know where to find these programs. That is why the Primary Care Council advocates accessible childcare without financial barriers, because according to the council this works better than obligation.
Politicians can start with this by dropping the work requirement for childcare reimbursement. This way, all children can go to school, even when their parents are not working. In this way, the children learn to develop at an early age under the guidance of professionals. Children who need extra guidance and help receive this, so that disadvantages are discovered early and something can be done about them in a timely manner.
By: National Education Guide / Parris Fokkema
