Dutch government gives more money to small schools

The government is giving small schools with fewer than 145 pupils a total of 20 million euros extra. This is to help these schools keep their quality on par, ANP reports.

There are about 2 thousand small schools in the Netherlands. According to Minister Arie Slob for Primary and Secondary Education, these schools have to teach their pupils as well as large schools, but with fewer teachers and less money. They can therefore do with some extra financial help.

Small schools can also often be found in areas from which people move away, the Minister added. In order not to make these shrinking regions even more unattractive to young families, Slob finds it important that the schools remain open.

The first 10 million euros will be given to these schools this summer. They can decide for themselves how to use it.