Netherlands rules out brand-new special education schools
Only branches of existing schools are allowed, State Secretary Tielen says in answers to parliamentary questions. A new school would need a change in the law.
The Netherlands does not allow entirely new schools for specialised education, State Secretary Tielen (Education, Culture and Science) said in answers to parliamentary questions received on 26 October 2026. It would take a change in the law, she said.
Tielen said schools can open new branch locations (nevenvestigingen) as part of an existing school.
The questions asked what legal barriers had been removed after a motion by MP Kwint (SP). The Tweede Kamer adopted it unanimously on 12 November 2019 and it asked the government to remove them.
A letter of 10 July 2020 announced a study into the need for new facilities that a new branch location cannot meet. The Kamer was told the results in the 2021 collective letter on motions and commitments for primary and secondary education.
According to Tielen, the study found that only two of the 150 regional partnerships between schools (samenwerkingsverbanden) at the time needed to start a new school, as the Kwint motion asked.
The study also showed that the current options, such as a branch location, are seen as sufficient, and that setting up new specialised schools is not seen as a solution. Tielen said no further steps were taken on that basis.