Set limits, allow freedom

Make clear what must form part of education, and what is and is not permitted in terms of freedom of education; do this within the normative framework of the democratic society. That is the advice given by the Dutch Education Council on Article 23 of the Dutch Constitution in its report ‘Set limits, allow freedom’ (Grenzen stellen, ruimte laten). Schools must adhere to the framework set by the democratic society, contribute to that society and not undermine it. The same applies for the government, which must make clearer where the limits to the freedom of education lie and enforce them more rigorously. Setting those limits is important in order to future-proof freedom of education and the freedom of schools to expound their own beliefs and vision of man and world view in a democratic society.