onderwijsopgave

Onderwijsopgave is a Dutch policy term referring to the government's plan or mandate for the education sector. It describes the set of goals, reforms, and resource needs deemed necessary to secure high-quality education for all students in the Netherlands over a fixed period. The concept is used by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (OCW) and other public bodies to frame policy, budgeting, and accountability across the education continuum—from early childhood education and primary and secondary education to vocational education (mbo) and higher education.

The content typically includes objectives such as improving learning outcomes, reducing achievement gaps, ensuring access and inclusion, strengthening teacher quality and capacity, promoting digitalization and innovation, and sustainably funding the system. It may also specify indicators and milestones to be monitored through dashboards and reports, with adjustments made in response to results and changing circumstances.

Implementation involves collaboration among ministries, school boards, educators, unions, municipalities, employers, and students. It is often linked to multi-year budgets and reforms, and serves as a central reference point for pilots, investments in buildings and teacher development, and policy coordination across domains such as curriculum, assessment, and governance.

As a planning instrument, the onderwijsopgave aims to align resources with ambitions, create predictability for schools, and support evidence-based policy. The exact content and status of an onderwijsopgave can vary between administrations and over time, reflecting evolving political priorities and educational research.