Jacqueline Blaak

· 09 Feb 2021

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Teachting to the test

Imagine, you have the abilities with which you can quickly make connections and learn easily. You're human and you know what you want after your Havo. You just can't get high digits on the keys that are being taken. You're not the only one, more than 60% in your class doesn't get a grade above 6, you spend all your time learning to get high grades so you can get your diploma. Because only with a high school diploma can you take the next step in your development. At least that's what people have come to believe.
If your grades are not high, make it #diploma and your development is interrupted, you have to re-chances or do it again.
Not getting high marks stands for many people in relation to: you can not. You don't have the cognitive abilities to make the next step. You have to do it again: teaching to the test.
The knowledge you learn does not linger at all, you do not learn before the test. Your future is in the hands of the keys. Only after you pass the tests, you can go on. Motivation is an engine to want to learn, chances are small that you will stay motivated if you have to learn the same for another year to get a higher grade. It makes me angry as a parent and as an educational professional. Only a grade determines whether you can continue to develop. Deep down, a lot of people in education know that what we do is wrong. The common sense, the expertise loses it from the numbers and the tests.


You have been in recent years, generally formed. You have gained knowledge about world orientation, history and other subjects. You have been able to develop continuously as required by law in article 8, and in Havo 5 you are ready for the next step, to the training that will make your heart beat faster. Your general education will help you with that, your Dutch and English will also help you.. You can do this without a diploma, you're ready. Only you need to show the system that you're worth it, in numbers. A system that is served and not man! Who ever came up with this!

When I look at my school and look at you as parents, I am confident that with your current cognitive, social and emotional abilities and the knowledge you have, you can take the next step. And I hope that there are more people in education who are going to turn away from this system that stands in the way of uninterrupted development towards a working life.