Minister Slob supports curriculum proposals
Education minister Arie Slob considers the proposals for a new curriculum 'a good starting point' and is overwhelmingly positive. He also announced that schools may fill in 30 percent of the teaching time themselves. AOb-director Jelmer Evers: “The minister rumbles on, but the criticism from our supporters is fundamental. Invest in education first.”
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Slob writes today in a letter to the House of Representatives that he largely agrees with the proposals that were presented last October. 'Based on all input, scientific insights and knowledge of current practice, the teams have tried to find the best possible balance', says Slob.
Positive
For example, the proposals improve equality of opportunity between students, because attention is paid to basic skills such as arithmetic, mathematics and Dutch. 'The importance of a strong language base is emphatically reflected in the proposals', writes Slob. The minister applauds the attention in the proposals for citizenship and digital literacy. Pupils learn about democracy, freedom and learn to deal with digital sources and ICT. In addition, the proposals provide for clear, continuous learning pathways, says Slob. Gaps and the duplication of teaching material is thus avoided.
The minister is also pleased with the 'open and transparent' process for arriving at the new plans. He writes that the people from education were at the forefront and that everyone had the opportunity to respond to the proposals.
last october presented development teams on nine learning areas, such as people & nature and arithmetic & mathematics, their plans. Based on this, the SLO expertise center will formulate new core objectives and attainment targets. Slob informs the House that he aims to start the new curriculum in the 2023-2024 school year. The House will discuss the plans in the near future.
rumble on
“The minister is rumbling on,” says AObdriver Evers. "While our survey and meetings show that a large part of our supporters does not agree with the proposals.” From the investigation shows, among other things, that there is criticism of the classification and content of the proposed learning areas. For example, teachers feel that too little attention is paid to basic knowledge and skills and they indicate that they do not like an introduction. There are more pressing problems, such as the teacher shortage.
Evers: "Teachers are willing to improve their education and are really not negative about curriculum innovation, but innovation must take place under the right conditions. If you want to do this well, you need enough time, guidance and competent professionals. We can do this don't ask people now. Structural investments must first be made. It is the reason that in January strike for two days. "
AOb-director Jelmer Evers: 'If you want to do this well, you need enough time, guidance and competent professionals'
Slob indicates that he has an eye for the problems and realizes that there is 'a lot on the plate' of the school leaders and teachers. 'However, it does not release the government from the obligation to ensure that the national educational goals continue to meet the demand from society, the labor market and education itself,' said the minister.
overload
The minister does think that the overload of the program should be looked at. One of the objectives of the new curriculum is to reduce this overload. Slob therefore let you know today that schools account for 30 percent of teaching time can fill in yourself. “This is not new,” says Evers. “This is already possible. At the moment, schools have a lot of freedom. It's about the preconditions that have to be right. Schools must now focus on a new curriculum in addition to teacher shortages, while there are already so many concerns. Structural investments are first needed to achieve this.”
Also read: 'Teachers don't like the introduction of the new curriculum'.
