At the end of the calendar year, the Sinterklaas celebration is just around the corner. It is one of the biggest children’s celebrations in the Netherlands. In recent years, however, the Sinterklaas celebration has also sparked debate. Schools are considering how they should address the Sinterklaas celebration. Should the emphasis be on a pleasant celebration, or does this bring the debate about discrimination and racism into the school and lead to polarisation and pain?

Tips

  • Have a discussion with everyone involved: staff and parents through the participation council or parents’ committee. This way, the school can formulate its position. Depending on their age, students can be involved in shaping the Sinterklaas celebration at school. They often have original ideas and are happy to contribute their thoughts.
  • Communicate in good time how the school will organise the Sinterklaas celebration. It is beneficial for the school to have a clear position before any discussions erupt, for example on social media.
  • Take people’s feelings seriously and do not underestimate them. Align your policies accordingly.
  • Be transparent with parents about why a particular choice was made. Either way, you are taking a position; parents have the right to know what the school’s choice is based on.
  • Make sure parents know whom they can contact with questions, and communicate this clearly.
  • Engage in discussion, but do not tolerate inappropriate behaviour. Be aware that difficult behaviour often starts small. Read more about this in the article Dealing with difficult behaviour by School & Safety. School & Safety has also developed an exercise on dealing with difficult behaviour.
  • Set boundaries for the discussion.
  • Do you notice feelings of unrest and/or discrimination at school? Do not get drawn into the debate about whether or not it constitutes factual/legal discrimination. Experiences of discrimination require attention. Make students and teachers aware of discrimination and its consequences. In the knowledge base of School & Safety, you will find all kinds of tools that can help with this.
  • The discussion you have about Piet is often just as sensitive as discussions about discrimination. You can find tips on how to deal with this under the discrimination topic of School & Safety.
  • In society, the debate surrounding Piet causes a certain degree of polarisation. You can find more information about this topic under the topic of tension and discussion in the classroom of School & Safety.
  • Finally, and of course most importantly: make it a wonderful celebration together, where everyone has fun and feels good!

Want to know more?

NOS made this feature about the debate over the colour of Piet over the years.

Photo: Ziko van Dijk.