Parents sue Dutch state over 70,000 children denied education
Oudervereniging Balans has launched a landmark legal challenge against the Dutch state, accusing the government of failing to guarantee the right to education for an estimated 70,000 children who are currently unable to attend school due to severe learning or behavioural challenges. The association filed the lawsuit on Thursday, arguing that the state’s refusal to provide tailored education violates international children’s rights and leaves vulnerable pupils in educational limbo.
According to Balans, the government has systematically failed to meet its obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, which the Netherlands ratified in 1995. The organisation contends that schools are unable to accommodate these children, leaving families with no alternative but to keep their children at home. “The system is designed only for the average child,” a spokesperson for Balans told *NRC* . “Children with disabilities or behavioural disorders are being left behind because no school can or will take them.”
The legal action follows years of advocacy by parents and educators, who have repeatedly warned that the Netherlands’ inclusive education policy has become a hollow promise for many. Under Dutch law, children are entitled to “passend onderwijs” (suitable education), but Balans argues that the system lacks the necessary resources, expertise, and political will to deliver it. The association is seeking a court ruling that would compel the state to provide immediate solutions, including specialised schools, home tuition, or alternative learning environments tailored to each child’s needs.
The scale of the crisis is stark: 70,000 children represent roughly 1.5% of the Dutch school-age population, yet their exclusion from mainstream education has received comparatively little public attention. Critics point to chronic underfunding of special education and a shortage of trained staff as key drivers of the problem. “This is not about ideology—it’s about basic rights,” said an education policy expert at the University of Amsterdam, who requested anonymity. “The state has a legal and moral duty to ensure every child can learn, regardless of their challenges.”
The government has not yet responded publicly to the lawsuit, but the case is expected to intensify pressure on the Ministry of Education, which has previously acknowledged gaps in the system. In 2024, a parliamentary report found that nearly 20,000 children were receiving no formal education at all, with many slipping through the cracks due to bureaucratic hurdles. Balans hopes the court will force the state to act, though legal experts caution that even a favourable ruling may take years to translate into tangible change.
For the families involved, the lawsuit is a last resort. “We’ve tried everything—appealing to schools, begging for help, but no one can give us an answer,” said one parent, whose child has been out of school for three years. “If the court can make the government listen, it might finally give our children the future they deserve.”
- 3
- 1
- 1
- 1
- 1
- 1
- 1
- 1
- 1
Articles
‚Psychických poruch u dětí přibývá. V Kroměříži přidají 115 akutních lůžek za 768 milionů korun Ve Zlínském kraji je nedostatek akutních psychiatrických lůžek pro dospělé i dětské pacienty. Proto Psychiatrická nemocnice v Kroměříži staví nový pavilon za 768 milionů korun. Bude v něm 90 lůžek akutní péče pro dospělé a 25 lůžek pro děti a dospívající.
irozhlas.cz · about 2 hours ago
Muutos Itä-Helsingin kouluihin suututtaa huoltajia – Näin kaupunki kommentoi
iltalehti · about 2 hours ago
Las educadoras del 0-3 protestan este jueves en Barcelona por sus condiciones laborales Reclaman un reconocimiento real de esta etapa educativa, bajada de ratios y aumento de salarios
la vanguardia · about 2 hours ago
Más de la mitad de escuelas e institutos públicos en Catalunya se han sumado al boicot a las excursiones Las impulsoras de la medida reconocen que es una decisión impopular, pero que está sirviendo para hacer pedagogía
la vanguardia · about 2 hours ago
Rechtszaak moet einde maken aan onderwijs voor alleen het gemiddelde kind Oudervereniging Balans daagt de Staat omdat naar schatting 70.000 kinderen in Nederland niet naar school gaan. Deze thuiszitters willen dat wel, maar vanwege bijvoorbeeld leer- of gedragsproblemen kan geen enkele school ze lesgeven. Of een rechtszaak de oplossing is, is nog de vraag.
nu.nl · about 2 hours ago
„E ca și cum ai câștiga la ruletă. Cotele de război îi exclud pe studenții ruși de la locurile gratuite la universitate Tinerii ruși care vor să studieze la universitățile de stat din Rusia întâmpină dificultăți din ce în ce mai mari, din cauză că unitățile de învățământ oferă tot mai multe locuri plătite de la buget copiilor militarilor care luptă în Ucraina. Iar taxele universitare și traiul într-un oraș mare, ca Moscova, fac ca accesul la locurile cu plată să fie aproape imposibil pentru copiii rușilor de rând.
digi24 · about 2 hours ago
Unge mener det er bortkastet tid å lese nyheter og bøker: – Altfor mange vet altfor lite En fjerdedel av norske elever i 2. klasse på videregående er demokratisk frakoblet, ifølge rapport.
aftenposten · about 2 hours ago
FOTOD ⟩ Eesti kodudes on keskmiselt sada raamatut Eesti kodudes on keskmiselt sada raamatut ning vaid kahel protsendil elanikest ei ole kodus ühtegi raamatut, selgub 2025. aastal läbi viidud lugemisuuringust. Samal ajal leidub neljal protsendil Eesti elanikest koduraamatukogus üle 2000 raamatu.
postimees · about 2 hours ago
Baas opvangorganisatie COA: Er is géén gebrek aan opvangplekken, er is een gebrek aan wil
parool · about 2 hours ago
Var är sanningssägarna när de behövs? Sverigedemokraterna vill vinna val på att inte åtgärda de långa köerna till hyresbostäder.
svenska dagbladet · about 2 hours ago
Oudervereniging Balans spant procedure aan tegen de staat namens thuiszitters Oudervereniging Balans stelt dat de overheid tekortschiet in het waarborgen van passend onderwijs voor ieder kind. De overheid voldoet volgens de belangengroep niet aan de internationale kinderrechten voor thuiszitters.
nrc · about 2 hours ago
Les inégalités cachées des diplômes britanniques Selon The Times, toutes les universités britanniques ne se valent pas. Certaines filières pourtant très populaires présentent des avantages financiers beaucoup moins importants que prévu cinq ans après lobtention du diplôme.
courrier international · about 2 hours ago
GRAAFIK ⟩ Haridusameti seire: laste tulemused paranevad, õpetajate töökoormus on meeletu Tallinna haridusameti mais korraldatud seire esmased tulemused näitavad, et eestikeelsele õppele üleminevates koolides suur osa õpilasi liigub järk-järgult parema ainealase eesti keele oskuse poole. Siiani tunnevad koolid puudust õppematerjalidest ning õpetajad peavad suurel hulgal ise looma.
postimees · about 2 hours ago