In 2025, the Dutch Inspectorate on Education published a Survey on the knowledge and skills of grade 8 pupils in  geography and history. They also investigated how schools teach these subjects.

Some conclusions:

• There is a large decline in knowledge of history compared to previous research (2008).
• Pupils have difficulty with historical research assignments.
• Pupils have relatively little interest in geography and history.
• The majority of schools combine education in geography and history with other subjects such as citizenship and language, but concrete examples of coherent teaching programs are often lacking.
• Teachers emphasise the importance of geography and history.
• Teachers need time, examples, support and training for a coherent and reasoned educational program.
• Most schools do not mention anything in the school plan about their vision on history education, how they monitor the development of pupils and what improvements they strive for.
• Most schools do not have an expert teacher or coordinator for geography, history or social studies.

https://www.onderwijsinspectie.nl/onderwerpen/peil-onderwijs/mens-en-maatschappij