(NL Times) Nine new Islamic primary schools will open in the Netherlands next year, the highest number so far in one year, Trouw reported. The country is getting at least 14 new primary schools. Among them are also two Protestant Christian schools and one public school.
The schools were approved by the Ministry of Education and will receive money from the start of 2026. The number may still change. There is still time to apply, and some assessments are still in progress.
The influx of religious schools is due to a new law that makes opening a school easier. In the past, religious groups had to go through a complicated procedure to open their first school in a municipality, including proof that setting up the school would be feasible. Now they only need 200 digital expressions of support from parents with young children in the municipality.
