Reading, writing and arithmetic are skills every pupil should learn. Giving children this solid basis is my top priority, and also creates equal opportunities. Together with teachers we are working to provide good quality education, in a setting where each pupil feels safe and can be themselves. So that everyone can reach their full potential: as children and as adults.
Mariëlle PaulState Secretary for Primary and Secondary Education and Equal Opportunities
Born on 5 November 1966 in Geldrop
Party: People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD)
Early years education
Primary education
Secondary education
Appropriate education, special education
Adult education
Lifelong learning and development
Non-formal education
Teacher policy
Community service
Educational institution buildings (inclusive in relation to climate goals)
Equal opportunities and government commissioner for sexually inappropriate behaviour and sexual violence
Board of Tests and Examinations
2 July 2024
Appointed State Secretary for Primary and Secondary Education and Equal Opportunities in the Schoof government
6 December 2023 – 2 July 2024
Member of the House of Representatives for the VVD
21 July 2023 – 2 July 2024
Minister for Primary and Secondary Education in the fourth Rutte government
March 2021 – July 2023
Member of the House of Representatives for the VVD; party spokesperson on primary and secondary education and the childcare benefit redress process, chair of the permanent parliamentary committee on Kingdom relations and of the temporary parliamentary committee reviewing coronavirus policy
April 2017 – March 2021
Global Communications Director, Royal BAM Group
October 2016 – March 2017
Sabbatical, freelance consultant, member of the 2017 parliamentary election campaign team of the Amsterdam branch of the VVD
May 2015 – September 2016
Interim Global Communications Director, Porticus
May 2013 – April 2015
Corporate & Sales Communications Director, Sanoma Media
2004 – 2013
Various management roles in marketing, communications and HR, ABN AMRO
March 2000 – August 2004
Co-owner and consultant, Principal Communications
November 1999 – March 2000
Marketing & Communications Director, Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences
March 1997 – November 1999
Group Director for Corporate Communications, Hill & Knowlton Strategies
May 1991 – March 1997
Various positions, including management roles, British Petroleum
2020 – 2023
Member of the supervisory board, Oude Kerk, Amsterdam
2017 – 2021
Deputy chair of the Amsterdam branch of the VVD, focusing on recruitment and retention of members
2016 – 2018
Member of the permanent campaign committee of the Amsterdam branch of the VVD. Jointly responsible for organising campaign activities for the 2017 parliamentary elections and active campaigner.
2010 – 2013
Volunteer, ABN AMRO Foundation
2009 – 2010
Course for aspiring housing association supervisors, including a one-year work placement on the supervisory board of Elan Wonen, Haarlem
2007 – 2016
Cofounder of the Hill & Knowlton alumni organisation (‘Stay Connected’)
2004 – 2008
Member of the communications strategy committee, Association of Certified Mortgage Advisers (SEH)
1991 – 1996
Member of the advisory and supervisory board of the Professor B.M. Telders debating society
