- Where education needs (financial) space for the professional development of teachers in the field of learning for sustainable development, the cabinet intends to cut education.
- There is no room in the coalition plans for the pedagogical mission of education beyond teaching the - undisputedly important - basic skills. Attention to person formation or learning for sustainable development is missing. This is remarkable, because the learning of basic skills is actually easier when it happens in a context. For example, the context of sustainability!
- Then the passage that deals with the desire to work with teaching methods that are "politically neutral. The question is whether this desire is in itself "politically neutral. In any case, it is important that education not look away from 'difficult issues' that young people undeniably face. If we want to give tomorrow's generation actionable perspectives for dealing with difficult issues such as climate or social inequality, these issues must be the subject of education.
- Finally, the coalition program does not mention the role of the built environment in education. This makes it clear that educational institutions are not supported (or encouraged) to make their school buildings, operations or outdoor spaces more sustainable.
In general terms, it is clear that the two main stakeholders of education - young people and future employers - will not fare well under the plans. After all, education that does not adequately prepare pupils and students for social change does not lead to a strong and innovative business community. Moreover, it is questionable whether the coalition program would pass the generational test.
The message is clear: change toward learning for sustainable development must come from the bottom up.
