# Primary schools would lose at most 3% in disadvantage funding

> State Secretary Judith Tielen wants to limit to 3% the loss for primary schools that get less money against educational disadvantage from 1 January 2027, at a cost of about €7m.

Society · published 2026-10-27 16:34 · https://nlnow.nl/a/cabinet-explores-cap-on-funding-losses-for-primary-schools/

Education minister State Secretary Judith Tielen (VVD) told the Tweede Kamer in a letter that she is exploring a transitional arrangement for primary schools that lose substantial funding under the new way of dividing disadvantage money. The new system takes effect on 1 January 2027.

Under her plan, affected schools would still receive less money, but would lose at most 3% in the new year. Without a transitional arrangement, some schools stand to lose hundreds of thousands of euros.

Tielen says softening the cut would cost about €7m. She wants to talk to MPs about where that money should come from during the education budget debate on Tuesday evening and Thursday.

In the letter, Tielen also points out that more schools gain money under the new distribution. She says the change was discussed in a consultative group that included school boards and municipalities, among them the four big cities. She also writes that the plan for the new indicator to be finished in 2026 and used to distribute the 2027 money was also more widely shared.

## Background

- **Tweede Kamer**: The House of Representatives, the lower and more powerful house of the Dutch parliament. Its 150 members are elected directly; it can amend bills and holds the cabinet to account.

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