At the end of August 2024, the charitable organization The Children’s Society published a report saying that British children were the least happy in Europe. The figures revealed that 25.2% of young people aged 15 in the country declared themselves to be unsatisfied with their lives, where the European average was 16.6%. And as often, Dutch children are considered to be “the happiest”, with only 6.7% of young people declaring themselves unsatisfied with their lives. These figures were based on the data of the international PISA study of 2022
However, according to Senay Boztas in The Guardian, they don’t show everything. This British journalist who lived for fifteen years in the Netherlands highlights several downsides who come to temper the image of Épinal of a region where children are all happy. “Many young people are clearly in good humor, with admirable levels of freedom and responsibility. But all? In fact, it turns out that we do not know it ”she writes.
Thus, Senay Boztas explains that PISA 2022 data do not take into account children schooling in Dutch specialized schools. These establishments notably welcome students with ADHD and autism. They will be part of the study for the first time only in 2025. In addition, the Danes also excluded dyslexic children from data collection.
In the Netherlands, despite a law for more suitable education, the proportion of children registered in specialized schools continues to grow and reaches 3.2%today. The small sector of private schools, which do not participate in the study, has also exploded. “With as many children excluded from measures – and this does not even have the number of students who have completely abandoned the school system – it is difficult to make superficial comparisons between nations”comments the journalist.
What about mental health?
The Netherlands also recently developed a passion for school assessments, to the point of crossing “All the limits of common sense and kindness” With regard to schoolchildren, says Senay Boztas. The level having dropped into literature and mathematics, the country would use a proliferation of tests provided by commercial companies. In primary schools, the final evaluation to access the higher levels would develop stress, according to Senay Boztas, to the “Abuse”. In secondary education (college and high school), certain establishments devote three weeks a year to exams. Public health organizations alert to the significant increase in stress among adolescents.
Mental health problems in young people are increasing, reception establishments are increasingly crowded and the long -term waiting lists. The most alarming is the debate on euthanasia in children under the age of 18. A psychologist has entrusted Senay Boztas that some young people ask doctors to help them die because the prescribed care is poor and traumatic.
Senay Boztas writes: “Anyone who knows the challenges faced by children in the Netherlands, as well as the state of the education system, does not welcome the country “” “happiest”.»» Before mentioning the enormous galleys of accommodation that await young people afterwards. Be careful, do not believe that young people are happier elsewhere. But this Guardian opinion article makes it possible to put the headlines that we see regularly about the Netherlands.
