Wiersma is committed to a new course in tackling absenteeism
Education minister Dennis Wiersma is taking a different course to tackle absenteeism in education. By making absenteeism registration easier, arranging the right to be heard for students and expanding distance learning, he hopes that fewer students will drop out.
Picture: type tank
'There is work to be done', Wiersma wrote plainly yesterday his letter to the House of Representatives. 'We all have to work harder and walk a different path.' The approach of his predecessors has been insufficient, the number of children not going to school has increased. Things have to change with an 'improved and sharpened approach', according to Wiersma.
Wiersma: 'We all have to work even harder and take a different path'
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The most recent figures, from school year 2020-2021, show that especially the group of young people who have an exemption because they have physical or psychological complaints has increased. Due to their illness they cannot go to school and are not registered. In 2015-2016 there were 5537 young people, last school year municipalities noted that this involved more than 7000 young people.
The minister also finds the figures 'considerable' in other absenteeism categories. For example, 3328 young people of school age - who are registered at a school - were absent from school for more than four weeks in 2020-2021. This number remained virtually the same as the previous school year. At 5491, absolute absenteeism is higher. This group has compulsory education, but is not registered with an educational institution. Compared to 2015-2016, this group increased by 400 students.
Less visibility
There is, however, a caveat to these figures. For example, 70 percent of the school attendance officers surveyed indicate that schools had a much poorer view of the reasons for absenteeism due to the pandemic. Was this due to corona or was corona invoked as a reason for authorized absenteeism, so that schools noted a sick report? Another factor: because compulsory education was not checked in 2019-2020 due to corona, schools were also less willing to make a report a year later. according to additional research.
New Approach
According to Wiersma, the figures show that there is a 'tough problem' and he is opting for a different course in addition to measures already taken.
First of all, the absence registration needs to be overhauled. The minister plans to submit a legislative amendment before the summer that will make registration easier. In addition, he wants to oblige schools to report all types of absenteeism - including absenteeism due to illness (which is now permitted absenteeism). From now on, school attendance officers must receive an automatic notification so that they are involved in the absence at an early stage. Wiersma also wants to harmonize all definitions in all regions, so that there is more agreement and figures are more comparable.
Part two of the approach means offering more appropriate education. 'I wish every child to be able to participate, even if unusual solutions have to be found', says Wiersma.
I wish every child to be able to participate, even if unusual solutions have to be found
Children who do not go to school or who have an exemption must receive help to return to education. Regional support centers for parents and children will be established for this. Because children often mainly know for themselves what a suitable educational place is and what they need, the minister wants them to be heard. He is submitting a law for this.
An experiment with 'educational care arrangements' will be launched next year for children who, in addition to education, also need care and are therefore often left out. Then there is the possibility to deviate from the rules. Wiersma is setting up a knowledge center for gifted children where those involved can share current knowledge and expertise.
Wiersma is also submitting two bills for the group of young people who have an exemption due to physical or psychological complaints. For example, when granting an exemption, it must from now on be looked at which educational options are still available and partnerships must gain insight into the figures so that they can take preventive measures.
Distance learning
Distance learning for children who do not follow education on location - if all measures fail - is a third spearhead of Wiersma. "Every child who is temporarily out of school must be educated." Wiersma will examine whether existing initiatives can develop a national offering and what he can do about laws and regulations so that teaching time can be deviated from and what the funding is.
Before the summer, Wiersma will let you know how he will further develop his approach and how he will also involve MBO. Because the approach to absenteeism and the prevention of early school leaving have the same goal: to get a picture of young people.
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