NOT Mainstage

'Citizenship'

Main topic - Wednesday, Jan. 222025

Since 2021, the legal obligation for citizenship education has been tightened. All primary and secondary school students must be familiar with diversity and the basic values of the Dutch rule of law, such as freedom, equality and solidarity. The goal is to promote active citizenship and social cohesion. Citizenship education gives students the tools to make their voices heard and participate in discussions. In a safe school environment, they learn to respectfully deal with differences of opinion and engage in constructive discussion. 

Many schools find it challenging to develop a broad-based vision for citizenship education that fits their student population. The new core objectives for citizenship change this by clearly indicating what students should know and be able to do as a minimum, while giving schools enough room to put their own vision into practice. This gives teachers a foothold in fleshing out this learning area and integrating it into the curriculum. 

Citizenship is a multifaceted and dynamic topic within education. The NOT 2025 is the ideal platform to exchange ideas and strategies and to inspire each other on the (further) implementation of citizenship education. With good citizenship education, schools contribute to the development of students into engaged, responsible and critical world citizens.