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Education, Culture and Science: fewer regulations, more accountability

News item | 16-09-2003

Over the next four years, the government will earmark over 700 million euro for knowledge and innovation. Its priorities include tackling the teacher shortage, giving institutions greater freedom and investing in knowledge and innovation.

The government wants to get away from 'grand designs' for education. Instead, the Ministry will be expected to produce practical solutions for the 'intractable problems' in the education field.

The Minister of Education, Culture and Science Maria van der Hoeven wants to see a dramatic change in the role of the Ministry. Schools and institutions will be given greater freedom and will be less constrained by rules, complex procedures and paperwork. This means, however, that they will be judged more on their performance and that the Ministry will enforce regulations strictly and keep a close eye on quality.

Knowledge and innovation
The government's priorities include the promotion of knowledge and innovation. This includes both knowledge development and the practical application of knowledge by the business world. €185 million has been earmarked for measures relating to knowledge and innovation. The innovation platform headed by the Prime Minister will be expected to come up with ideas and make proposals for improving the climate for innovation in the Netherlands.

Teacher shortage
Current forecasts predict a shortfall of more than ten thousand teachers by 2007. Minister Van der Hoeven hopes that extra measures will reduce this figure to around 2,200. The budget includes extra funds for enhanced teacher support, better supervision of new staff and the improvement of teacher training courses.

Cuts
The public broadcasting organisations will have to achieve savings of €40 million in 2004 and various grants to education and culture are to be cut by a total of almost €25 million in that year.