In the Education Budget, the government is making an additional €350 million available to increase equal opportunities in secondary vocational education. The money is also intended to improve the connection between education and the labour market. According to the government, the additional funding is needed because many skilled workers from secondary vocational education will be needed in the future to keep our society running.
The government is also investing a total of €3.3 billion extra in primary and secondary education. This money is intended to improve basic skills such as reading, writing, numeracy and citizenship. It is important that enough suitable teaching staff are available. That is why €300 million is being invested in tackling workload in secondary education, while €128 million will go towards further training for teachers and school leaders. The Education Agreement concluded earlier this year had already stated that €919 million would be invested in bringing salaries in primary education in line with those in secondary education.
To increase equal opportunities for children, the government will allocate a total of €1 billion over the coming years. Of this, €34 million will go to the School & Environment programme. This previously announced programme offers tens of thousands of pupils additional activities and support.
Improving well-being
“Schools are showing a great deal of interest in strengthening basic skills,” says Vincent Fafieanie of the NJi. “In this context, it is important not only to focus on improving pupils’ cognitive skills, but also on their well-being as the foundation for their development. The School & Environment programme provides opportunities to do this. Cooperation between schools and teacher-training programmes aimed at strengthening the quality of education helps make teaching an attractive profession, including for a new generation.”