The Education Council believes that the Minister should invest more in the link between school-based and non-school-based learning. This would help the Netherlands to compete better with the leading knowledge-based economies in Europe: all learning opportunities should be used to ensure we join the leading group of countries!
18 February 2003
School is no longer an exclusive learning environment. People also learn in other ways: at work, for example, on the internet and by working together with others. The Education Council advocates reaping the benefits of both learning environments by linking non-school-based learning more strongly with school-based learning. This will allow us to meet the new needs for knowledge and skills (competencies) in our current knowledge-based society.
Combine school-based and non-school-based learning
Our knowledge-based society demands personal, social and work-relevant skills, such as taking initiatives and solving problems. These competencies cannot all be acquired within the context of schooling. Complementary learning is needed if we are to raise the competency levels of the population in a meaningful way.
The Education Council believes that smartly combining school-based and non-school-based learning is potentially valuable. Many options are available, for example, by establishing micro businesses in vocational education, by availing of educational opportunities in museums and by utilising web learning opportunities. Others include establishing a ‘broad school' and inviting guest teachers.
The study Learning in a Knowledge-Based Society forms a set together with Leren in samenspel [Learning Together] and www.web-learning.nl.