‘At school you lay the foundation for a successful future. Good teachers are crucial to that. You have to work for that future yourself, but you also need a fair chance and sometimes a helping hand. I’m fully committed to achieving this for everyone, no matter what their family background.’
Dennis WiersmaMinister for Primary and Secondary Education
Born on 19 February 1986 in Franeker, married, 2 children
Party: People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD)
1998-2002
Junior general secondary education (MAVO), Simon Vestdijk School, Franeker
2002-2004
Senior general secondary education (HAVO), Anna Maria van Schurman School, Franeker
2004-2005
Teacher training (history), Windesheim University of Applied Sciences, Zwolle
2005-2009
Sociology, University of Groningen
2010-2012
Organisation and Management Studies, University of Utrecht
2008-2009
Student member of the Behavioural and Social Sciences Faculty Board at the University of Groningen
2009-2010
Vice chair of the Dutch Student Union (LSVB)
2011-2013
Chair of the youth wing (FNV Jong) of the Trade Union Confederation FNV and in this capacity member of the Social and Economic Council (SER)
2013-2017
Programme manager for the social agenda (responsible for sustainability) at PGGM, a pension fund service provider
2013-2015
Project manager for tackling youth unemployment at the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment
2016-2017
Working at Start Foundation, a venture philanthropy fund
23 March 2017 – 3 September 2021
Member of the House of Representatives for the VVD; party spokesperson on issues including social affairs and employment, economic affairs, innovation, top sectors and industry, and higher education and research
10 August 2021 – 10 January 2022
State Secretary for Social Affairs and Employment in the third Rutte (caretaker) government
10 January 2022
Appointed as Minister for Primary and Secondary Education in the fourth Rutte government
2020-2021
Member of the temporary parliamentary committee of inquiry and the parliamentary committee of inquiry on natural gas extraction in Groningen for the House of Representatives
2011-2013
Board member of the Knowledge Centre for Trade and the Education-Business Alliance
Co-founder of the PensioenLab, an organisation that encourages young people to join the debate on pensions
Initiator of the Startersbeurs, a work experience scheme for newly qualified young people
