The Tweede Kamer adopts law for more reading, writing, maths at school

The Tweede Kamer on Tuesday approved a new law aimed at strengthening core educational skills and adopted a motion to investigate equal treatment for students in all schools.

The new law updates the so-called kerndoelen, or core objectives, that define what Dutch school programs must teach. It emphasizes improving students’ reading, writing, and arithmetic skills while also including digital literacy and civic development.

The government cited multiple studies showing that many primary and secondary students struggle with "basic skills." The bill notes that poor reading skills hinder learning in other subjects and can lead to long-term adult challenges, such as managing finances or writing job applications. The law is designed to ensure basic skills have a “solid place” in curricula.

The Education Inspectorate will assess compliance in 2031, but schools are expected to begin implementing the goals for Dutch, arithmetic, and mathematics in 2026. Additional goals, including citizenship and digital skills, will follow in 2027. Some schools have reportedly already started adjusting their programs.

“Good news!” said caretaker State Secretary Koen Becking (Education, VVD) after the vote. “With these new, more concrete and up-to-date objectives, teachers have greater clarity on what students need to know and be able to do. This keeps the curriculum manageable and contributes to better learning outcomes.” Nearly all parties voted in favor, with only SGP and Forum for Democracy opposed.

Separately, the Tweede Kamer passed a motion proposed by VVD lawmaker Arend Kisteman to study how all students can be treated equally, regardless of a school’s religious or philosophical orientation. The motion passed narrowly, with 72 votes for and 70 against, but drew strong criticism from Christian parties.

SGP member Diederik van Dijk called the vote “a new low” and accused the motion of discarding “classical freedoms.” ChristenUnie lawmaker Don Ceder said, “It is not the government’s task to decide how children are raised.”

Kisteman defended the measure, stating that it is crucial for the VVD that every student can attend school safely and be themselves. “That is why it is good that the government now clarifies how we implement this in practice,” he said.