School Failure of Boys and Girls in the Netherlands and its Implications for Successful School Results and Professional Career Paths: identifying and evaluating principles and practices in primary, secondary and higher education

Abstract

SUMMARY This article provides an overview of the main principles and practices of the Dutch education system and focuses on the process of the implementation of new educational concepts in different types of school and in teacher education, both in-service and pre-service. On the basis of recent research, attempts are made to identify and analyse the causes of school failure among boys and girls in the field of regular, special primary education and general secondary education and the failures of schools to prepare young people adequately for social, economical and political responsibilities. The most important governmental and educational measures that have been taken to solve problems in current educational practice are discussed.