OA

Neutraliteit is lafheid

Neutrality is cowardice. The post-war politicization of public education in The Netherlands

The political purposes and aims of Dutch education began to be questioned after the Second World War. But there was also a high regard for educational freedom, considered a cornerstone of Dutch democracy. Why did the Dutch government not interfere to protect and strengthen democratic values? And how did teachers in public schools, who were expected to be politically neutral, react to the politics of their time and post-war controversies? This article demonstrates how teachers maintained their independence and influenced Dutch society, shaping the political outlook of future citizens.