Research shows that almost one in three Dutch primary school pupils in group 5 (aged around eight) struggle with stressful situations at home.
Issues causing stress include financial worries. This is the key conclusion of a study by SEO Economic Research, commissioned by ABN AMRO Foundation and Jeugdeducatiefonds (Youth Education Fund). In schools where the average child experiences more stress and gets fewer opportunities to relax, average learning performance is lower. On the other hand, access to cultural experiences and other forms of leisure provide a boost to learning, as does an increase in family income.
The survey Kansenongelijkheid in Nederland was conducted among a representative sample of primary schools across the Netherlands. The results also show that 38 percent of children grow up in families who have had to cut back on basic needs; 28 percent of families struggle to afford the parental contribution [WK1] to special school expenses. This is the second time the survey has been conducted among primary school teachers. This year, as purchasing power in the Netherlands has declined, additional questions on financial stress have been included in the survey.
Effect of income on children's learning performance Pupils' home situation, environmental factors and educational quality each play a significant role in the differences in their learning performance and aptitude test scores. Children growing up in lower-income families (less than EUR20,000) typically score KBG (lower GCSE equivalent) on their aptitude test, while children from higher-income families (EUR40,000) typically score HAVO (higher GCSE with GCE AS level).
Interestingly, the study reveals that learning performance improves when children get more opportunities to relax with activities like playing sports, exploring nature or having sleepovers with friends. Reducing stress and improving relaxation opportunities has the same effect on learning as increasing family income by an annual 10,000 euros. Since the end of the pandemic, opportunities to relax have been on the rise. Primary school pupils have more social interactions again and more often enjoy outings like going to the theatre or an amusement park, nature outings and summer holidays.
Equal opportunities Not all children are feeling this improvement yet, however: one in three have no access to these forms of recreation. This could be addressed if municipalities and businesses significantly invest in sports clubs, culture, school meals and similar solutions. 'A shockingly large number of children grow up with financial stress at home. This really impacts their opportunities to succeed. And most of these children share a classroom,' says Hans Spekman, director of Jeugdeducatiefonds. 'Importantly, the research shows that we're not powerless. We can do something about this. For the children and for tomorrow's society.'
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The ABN AMRO Foundation aims to encourage fair opportunities for everyone, especially for children who grow up in a stressful environment.
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ABN AMRO CEO and chairman of ABN AMRO Foundation Robert Swaak agrees. 'A bad start due to financial stress at home, or other factors you can't do anything about as a child, can set you back for the rest of your life. That's not fair. With ABN AMRO Foundation we aim to encourage fair opportunities for everyone, especially for children who grow up in a stressful environment. I'm immensely proud of the countless ABN AMRO volunteers who dedicate themselves every year to help these children out with an extra push in the right direction.'
ABN AMRO Foundation For over 20 years, ABN AMRO Foundation has been committed to supporting children who grow up in a disadvantaged environment. In coordination with partner schools affiliated to Jeugdeducatiefonds, the Foundation organises weekly social activities to broaden the horizons of children with fewer opportunities. These extracurricular activities range from online language lessons to sports clinics at Ajax, and from visiting the theatre to getting hands-on at a farm. In 2022, more than 15,000 pupils took part in activities accompanied in 4,200 cases by an ABN AMRO volunteer.
Study into consequences of opportunity inequality ABN AMRO Foundation and Jeugdeducatiefonds commissioned SEO Economic Research to conduct research in 2021 and 2023 on resource disparities at home. A survey was held among group 5 primary school teachers throughout the Netherlands (teaching pupils aged around eight). They were asked about development opportunities, leisure activities and facilities at home. Questions on financial stress were added in 2023, in connection with declining purchasing power in the Netherlands. The study shows that in schools where children have more relaxation opportunities and experience less (financial) stress at home, learning performance is higher on average. Improving leisure opportunities, such as sports, exploring nature or sleepovers with friends, has a positive impact on learning performance, as does a significant increase in family income. A total of 784 schools participated in the survey, 126 of which took part in both editions. The study highlights the significant disparities in such resources, which in turn affect performance at school.
Jeugdeducatiefonds Jeugdeducatiefonds (Youth Education Fund) helps increase development opportunities of children who grow up in poverty. Applications for the fund are routed through primary schools, because this is where a child's talents and intellectual potential are usually recognised. Teachers typically understand better than anyone else what a child might need. When lack of money is a barrier to development, the school can appeal to Jeugdeducatiefonds.
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