DutchNews.nl - DutchNews.nl brings daily news from The Netherlands in English

7 July 2025
Newsletter Donate Advertise
  • News
  • Life in the Netherlands
  • Jobs
  • Podcast
  • About us
  • Search
  • Home
  • Economy
  • Politics
  • Art and culture
  • Sport
  • Europe
  • Society
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Housing
  • Education
  • News
    • Home
    • Economy
    • Politics
    • Art and culture
    • Sport
    • Europe
    • Society
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Housing
    • Education
  • Life in the Netherlands
    • Latest
    • Opinion
    • Books
    • Travel
    • 10 Questions
    • Learning Dutch
    • Inburgering with DN
    • Food & Drink
    • Ask us anything
  • Jobs
  • Podcast
  • About us
    • Team
    • Donate
    • Advertise
    • Writing for Dutch News
    • Contact us
    • Privacy
    • Newsletter
  • Search

Stop unfair “voluntary” school contributions, campaigners say

June 2, 2023
Children from migrant backgrounds are less likely to be placed in "plus classes". Photo: Depositphotos.com

Teaching unions, parents’ groups, and the primary and secondary schools council have urged MPs to stop schools asking parents for a financial contribution towards their children’s education.

In addition, they say, they are worried about the mounting cost of digital aids, such as laptops and tablets, which parents are being asked to pay for and which are an essential part of the education system.

Some 15 years ago the government agreed to make school books free and it would be “logical” to do the same for digital tools, the organisations said.

“As well-functioning digital learning resources are now indispensable in most schools, it would be a logical step to broaden the legal definition of free learning resources (and the associated funding),” the letter states.

Voluntary payment

The annual payment schools ask for is voluntary but some parents cannot afford to pay, and this is also exacerbating the difference between rich and poorer schools and leading to school trips being cancelled, the campaigners say.

“School fees were already a problem in many families and are becoming increasingly so,” the teachers and parents say. “Good education should be accessible to all children, equally, regardless of their parents’ wallet.”

Instead, the campaigners say, the government should allocate a fixed amount per pupil to pay for school trips and other special events such as the Easter breakfast.

Last year, school inspectors said a majority of secondary schools are still putting parents under pressure to pay for extra school activities despite the voluntary nature of the contribution.

Since August 2021, schools are no longer allowed to exclude pupils whose parents have not paid a voluntary contribution from extra activities such as school trips or additional classes.

Share this article
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Reddit
  • Copy URL
Education Society
Thank you for donating to DutchNews.nl.

We could not provide the Dutch News service, and keep it free of charge, without the generous support of our readers. Your donations allow us to report on issues you tell us matter, and provide you with a summary of the most important Dutch news each day.

Make a donation
Latest
Show more
Netherlands 3-0 Wales: Miedema ton up as Oranje overpower Wales
Cricket: Edwards leads the way as Dutch secure win over Jersey
Council scraps home for 14 girl refugees after violent protests
Podcast: The Eternal Sunshine of the Forever Chemicals Edition
Mixed weather ahead as summer warmth takes a break
NewsHomeEconomyPoliticsArt and cultureSportEuropeSocietyEnvironmentHealthHousingEducation
Life in the NetherlandsLatestOpinionBooksTravel10 QuestionsLearning DutchInburgering with DNFood & DrinkAsk us anything
About usTeamDonateAdvertiseWriting for Dutch NewsContact usPrivacyNewsletter
© 2025 DutchNews | Cookie settings

Help us to keep providing you information about coronavirus in the Netherlands.

Many thanks to everyone who has donated to DutchNews.nl in recent days!

We could not provide this service without you. If you have not yet made a contribution, you can do so here.

The DutchNews.nl team

Donate now

Dutchnews Survey

Please help us making DutchNews.nl a better read by taking part in a short survey.

Take part now