Kerkrade appeals first rejection of The Martin Buber

Kerkrade municipality's application to the Ministry of Education to once again offer full secondary education in the town has been rejected for the time being. The new public school for mavo, havo and vwo, under the name Het Martin Buber, would start in August 2023 if the ministry's recommendation is positive. The municipality of Kerkrade disagrees with the decision and is lodging an objection.

The Inspectorate of Education - which monitors the quality of education and advises the Ministry of Education - believes that the educational plans of The Martin Buber score well on five of the six assessment criteria. Only the citizenship education component - which deals with the basic norms and values of our society - scores inadequately in the opinion of the Inspectorate. As a result, The Martin Buber will not be given the green light to start next year for the time being.  

This is the conclusion of the final report delivered by the Inspectorate to the Ministry of Education. On the basis of this report, the ministry subsequently made a rejection decision for the founding of The Martin Buber. Only if all six evaluated criteria score a sufficient score, a positive recommendation follows.  

Support from society

The Kerkrade municipality has been working hard for the return of full secondary education in the town since 2020. There is also a lot of support from the community. To apply, 694 parent statements had to be received by October 15, 2021. This turned out to be the case with a total of 732 parent statements for mavo, havo and vwo. 

Alderman Jo Schlangen (Education) does not agree with the Inspectorate of Education's assessment that citizenship education is not sufficiently addressed within The Martin Buber. "That surprises us. Especially since citizenship education is fully central at The Martin Buber. It is seen as one of the foundations of this innovative education. Especially at Het Martin Buber you really get to know yourself, the other and everyone's role in society.'

Disappointed

Mayor Petra Dassen, who has long advocated the return of secondary education to Kerkrade in general and the arrival of Het Martin Buber in particular, is also very disappointed with the Ministry of Education's verdict. 'However, we will not leave it at that,' states the mayor. 'We believe in The Martin Buber and are going to do everything possible to ensure that this school will occupy an important place in our city. A place where children get the chance to grow up to become independent young people. People who want to contribute to society with head, heart and hands.'

The municipality is immediately appealing the decision and is counting on the appeal process to still grant the school. The planned "Experience what you learn route" for elementary school students will continue as planned.