Again extra support for reading, writing, and arithmetic

Starting today, primary and secondary schools can once again apply for subsidies to help students improve their reading, writing, and arithmetic skills. This subsidy has been available since the end of 2022 through the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (OCW), and has already reached over 1.5 million students. With this latest round of subsidies, the ministry aims to provide an additional 1 million students with support to strengthen their basic skills. The goal is to reach a total of 95% of all students in primary and secondary education. To continue improving reading, writing, and arithmetic skills, a new form of funding will replace the subsidy starting in 2027: targeted funding.

State Secretary Mariëlle Paul (Fundamental Education and Emancipation): “More and more schools are putting in extra effort in reading, writing, and arithmetic. Everything to ensure that their students master those crucial skills well. Absolutely great! Because this is a long-term effort, we must not let our attention wane. Therefore, we will continue to support schools, even in the long term.”

In the 4th and final round of subsidies, a total of €512 million is available for schools that have not previously received funding from the Master Plan for Basic Skills, amounting to €615 per student. With this money, schools can organize training for teachers, appoint a language or math coordinator, purchase specific learning materials, or ensure that students receive extra lessons in language or arithmetic.

Schools that have received a very weak or insufficient judgment from the Education Inspectorate will be specifically approached to submit a subsidy application.
The subsidy will be used by schools primarily for language or arithmetic-mathematics, and where necessary also for digital literacy or citizenship.

According to the latest progress report from the Master Plan for Basic Skills at the end of last year, it was found that schools are finding their way up in terms of students performance in basic skills. The majority of schools, especially in primary education, are experiencing noticeable progress among their students. At the same time, there remains a great urgency to improve these performances, especially in secondary education.

To continue working on this, schools will receive funding starting January 1, 2027, through a new form of funding, targeted funding. All schools in primary and secondary education will automatically receive funds for improving reading, writing, and arithmetic skills. Schools will no longer need to submit an application for this. This saves them time and administration. After 5 years, it will be assessed whether the targeted funding should be extended or added to the regular funding. The bill regulating this has recently gone into consultation.

State Secretary Paul: “I want to make sure that extra money is actually spent on what it is intended for. With targeted funding, this is possible. Moreover, it gives schools more certainty about how much money they have available and allows them to plan for the long term.”

The targeted funding thus contributes to reducing the number of subsidies for schools, as agreed in the framework agreement by the cabinet. Meanwhile, discussions are also taking place with representatives from the education sector to explore ways to reduce the number of subsidies. This will be included in the elaboration of the Recovery Plan for quality education. In some situations, subsidies will still be needed to provide a temporary short-term boost to groups of schools.