The best schools in the Netherlands will be given the title ‘excellent’ from this autumn, education minister Marja van Bijsterveldt announced on Tuesday.

The title will be given to schools where children learn a lot and which offer something extra, such as lessons in being a good citizen or social manners. The background of the children at the school will be taken into consideration.
Van Bijsterveldt is setting up a jury under Fons van Wieringen, former head of the education council. The education inspectorate will give the jury a long list of schools where children obtain good results. Schools can also nominate themselves.
‘Schools need to encourage their pupils to greater heights,’ Van Bijsterveldt told the Volkskrant. ‘This quality mark can inspire other schools and give education new energy.’