About the Association of Primary Schools in the Netherlands (PO-Raad)

The PO-Raad is the sector association for primary education. As an association, we represent the common interests of school organisations in primary education, special primary education, and (secondary) special needs education.

The association has around 800 members, which provide primary education to about 98% of all pupils in the Netherlands.

Key functions of the PO-Raad include:

• Advocacy for the primary education sector
• Providing support and services to member organisations
• Negotiating collective labor agreements
• Promoting quality improvement in primary education
• Stimulating mutual learning and professional development

School organisations strive for the best education for their students. They work hard to facilitate this goal; they learn from each other and continue to innovate. The PO-Raad encourages and supports the sector. Together, we collaborate to ensure quality education for all children.

Advocacy

As an association, we work for and through our members—the school organisations in primary education. To fulfill our representative role, we listen to our diverse members across different directions, regions, and sizes. Our task is to articulate sector issues and work toward solutions through consultation and negotiation with other parties. Through visits, networking events, and the General Member Assembly, members actively participate in creating the PO-Raad’s positions.

Main issues 

Continuous improvement of educational quality requires a collective approach. Societal challenges demand ongoing joint positioning. By making informed choices, we can collectively address significant challenges. The PO-Raad has set out a strategic agenda for 2022-2026 focusing on four main themes:

1. Educational Quality:

• Reversing the trend of declining educational results
• Ensuring quality assurance is in order for all school boards
• Strengthening the vision on the broad mission of education

2. Equal Opportunities:

• Making schools a more inclusive microcosm of society
• Ensuring public access to childcare for all children
• Seamlessly connecting childcare, youth care, primary and secondary education
• Maintaining high expectations for all education professionals and students

3. Education Labor Market:

• Maximizing talent utilization in the sector
• Making the sector more attractive to work in and increasing recruitment
• Reorganising education to address staff shortages  

4. Covernance and association:

• Emphasizing collective action
• Professional development of school boards
• Transforming the association into a professional network organisation
• Collaborating with social partners
• Strengthening the regional structure within the association

Netherlands Education System

More information on the education system in the Netherlands can be found at the website of NUFFIC.