Survey Dutch Inspectorate on Education on geography and history 2025

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

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