The learning systems currently used in the Netherlands are often still too supply-oriented. The knowledge and skills that a pupil acquires in this manner no longer meet the demands of the labour market. This resulted in the development of the Edulabs concept in the United States. Edulabs are multimedia learning environments where theory and practice go hand-in-hand. By completing modules, pupils who participate become aware of the purpose and need of the learning material. By developing specific modules, the aim is to stimulate pupils' interest in technology.

By setting up nine Edulabs at primary schools in The Hague, the City seeks to ensure a greater intake of pupils into technical education. Teacher-training colleges for primary education (PABO) will also receive an Edulab to enable students to apply the concept during their traineeships or work in the educational sector.

The activities have been subdivided into various phases. The preparatory phase comprises drawing up a list of the wishes of participating schools and the experience that has been acquired with the Edulabs concept. Requisite materials and modules are purchased during the following phase. The labs are set up in the schools, creating an office environment. They will be operational at the start of the 2005/2006 academic year. Teachers will receive extra training during the spring of 2005. They will also receive a refreshers' course for the sake of continuity. Attention will be given to supervision and maintenance, and ensuring the materials and modules remain up-to-date.

At least 450 pupils are expected to acquire experience through the Edulabs concept. In addition, 45 teachers will receive further training. The aim is that more young people will opt for a technical education so that the business community in this area can find the personnel it needs. Eventually, this will increase the performance of the business community.

European subsidy: € 746.190
Total cost: € 1.500.760

This project has been partially funded with Objective 2 funds. Since 2000 nine cities have been eligible for the Objective 2 Urban Areas in the Netherlands programme, which forms part of the European Fund for Regional Development (EFRD) of the European Union. EFRD is one of the four Structural Funds of the European Commission. The programme helps cities to carry out projects that benefit disadvantaged areas.

In the Netherlands, total European Objective 2 subsidies concern 192 million euros. 4.25% of the Dutch population lives in the selected areas.

The European Commission prescribes that for every euro from the EFRD, a minimum of one euro must be contributed from the government. The cities must therefore add their own public or private funding to the European subsidy. The European programme is linked to the urban plans agreed within the context of the urban policy of the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations. For this, the cities can make use of funds that have been allocated to them in the context of the national urban policy.

Den Haag Centrum Zuid - local programme management
Phone: +31 70 3534228

01/09/2004

case

Urban Policy > Social inclusion & integration > Education

Primary education