Informeel onderwijs onder overheidstoezicht: Aan de oevers van de Rubicon

In recent years, debate has arisen as to whether some form of substantive standardisation and government oversight is warranted for informal education. That debate was prompted by suspicions that some institutions would play a negative role in conveying values such as freedom, equality and solidarity. Policy letters outlining the first contours for supervision of informal education give little reason to be reassured that a constitutionally tenable proposal is in sight. Major tensions arise with Article 23 of the Constitution (freedom of education), freedom of religion and belief, freedom of expression and freedom of association. I consider this development unnecessarily risky for the democratic rule of law and the government's ability to act. There are sufficient instruments to tackle practices that are punishable or contrary to public order. Let the government focus on those and not overplay its hand.