Classes that are too large are bad for the quality of education
Parents are concerned about the quality of education in large classes. The study shows that in classes with 16 to 20 pupils, 63% of parents are (very) satisfied with the quality of education. In larger classes, the number of satisfied parents drops sharply. When a class has more than 30 children, only 45% of parents are still satisfied with the quality of education.
Safety and enjoyment are also under pressure due to classes that are too large
Large classes affect the quality of education, but children also enjoy school less and feel less safe there. In classes with more than 30 children, 47% of parents see that their child feels less safe at school. In classes with between 16 and 25 children, this is 65% of parents. Parents with children in a large class also say less often that their child enjoys going to school.
When do parents consider a class too large?
Parents consider a class with more than 25 children too large. In a class of 21 to 25 children, only 23% of parents consider their child’s class too large. In a class of 25 to 30 children, a substantial majority of 72% do. Of parents, 94% consider a class with more than 30 children too large.
Teacher shortage causes unrest among parents
In addition to class size, the teacher shortage also contributes to parents’ concerns. Interns or unqualified teachers are often teaching classes, or lessons are cancelled altogether. The high workload among teachers is also a cause for concern among parents, because it comes at the expense of personal attention for pupils.
The consequences of the teacher shortage are felt most strongly in secondary education. Almost half of the parents with a child in secondary school say they are affected by the teacher shortage. But it is also a major problem in primary education. Here too, 36% of parents see the consequences of the teacher shortage.
Many parents are positive about their relationship with the school
Good cooperation between parents and school contributes to good education. The majority of parents (69%) say they have a good relationship with the school. They feel involved with the school and receive enough information about what is happening there. Nevertheless, for years there has continued to be a substantial group of parents who are less positive about cooperation with the school. There is still much room for improvement here.
Many children still suffer from performance pressure
Many children experience pressure to achieve good grades and perform well at school. In secondary education, this is slightly more common than in primary education, at 48%. In primary education, performance pressure is almost as high. Here, 43% of parents say that their child suffers from this performance pressure.
Earlier research by Ouders & Onderwijs shows that performance pressure can have unpleasant consequences, such as low mood, reduced self-confidence, fear of failure and concentration problems.
Many concerns about appropriate education
Ouders & Onderwijs receives a great many reports from parents who have problems finding appropriate education for their child. In 2024, the advice centre of Ouders & Onderwijs received no fewer than 4,500 requests for help from parents about appropriate education.
In 2024, Ouders & Onderwijs also conducted research into pupil transport. Once again, this revealed worrying reports from parents. Drivers change frequently, pupils are not picked up or are picked up far too late, and they are often on the road for a long time.
A large group—67% of parents—have at some point filed a complaint about pupil transport. And 28% have done so several times.
More and more parents support inclusive education. Around 45% of parents with a child in primary school and 49% of parents with a child in secondary school believe that every child should be able to attend the same school in their neighbourhood.
Schools still ask for a ‘mandatory’ parental contribution
Every child should be able to participate in school trips, outings, excursions or other activities, even if parents cannot or do not want to pay the voluntary parental contribution. A voluntary parental contribution must therefore genuinely be voluntary. Nevertheless, some schools still ask for a ‘mandatory’ parental contribution.
In 2019, 36% of parents with a child in primary school still said they had to pay this. Now this is a smaller group: only 20% of parents say that the school asks them for a mandatory contribution. This is still too many, but it is a clear improvement.
There is also a ‘mandatory’ parental contribution in secondary education. In 2019, 48% of parents said they had to pay a contribution to the school. This year, that figure is only 27% of parents with a child in secondary school.
In both primary and secondary education, parents have difficulty paying the parental contribution. These parents also feel pressure from the school to pay it anyway, even though it is supposed to be voluntary. In primary education, this applies to 21% of parents, while in secondary education, 26% have difficulty paying it.
Smaller classes needed for better education
The State of the Parent 2025 shows that we must continue investing in education. There need to be more smaller classes and enough qualified teachers in front of the class. In addition, every child must receive the support they need, in an appropriate and safe environment.
The State of the Parent 2025 research report contains more information about parents’ views on education. What do parents, for example, think about inclusive education? Do children experience a lot of performance pressure at school? And what is the relationship between parents and school like? You can find this and more in the State of the Parent 2025.