Everyone in society must be able to participate. Therefore, municipalities are intensifying assistance to low-literate individuals. Municipal staff will be informed about how to recognize signs of low literacy. This way, they can help people more quickly and effectively, for example by referring someone seeking debt assistance to a language course if necessary. There will also be extra attention for the target group with Dutch as their first language. ‘To participate in society, these skills are essential,’ says Van Engelshoven. ‘That is why we have made concrete agreements with municipalities about what we are going to do to better assist this group of people.’ The goal is to have a comprehensive approach to low literacy implemented in all municipalities by the end of 2024. The agreements also state that municipalities will systematically check the quality of courses. This includes checking whether the offerings fit well with what people need.
Interest in Language or Computer Classes
Municipalities and ministries are jointly investigating what works best to reach people and what is needed to engage them in language or computer classes. Collaborating municipalities will create a plan outlining how they will tackle this. Under these agreements, the VNG, on behalf of all Dutch municipalities, and the minister will sign today in Amsterdam.
Ministries United in the Fight Against Low Literacy
In the Netherlands, 2.5 million adults struggle with reading, writing, and/or arithmetic. They often also have difficulties with digital skills. In the ‘Count with Language’ program, four ministries unite in the fight against low literacy. These ministries are Education, Culture and Science (OCW), the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations (BZK), Social Affairs and Employment (SZW), and Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS).