Balans takes legal action against the State over the problem of school absenteeism: "More appropriate education needed"

The parents' association Balans has initiated legal action against the Dutch State, citing a failure to provide adequate education for students with special needs. The organization argues that the current system is insufficiently flexible and lacks the necessary support to prevent rising rates of school absenteeism among children who cannot cope with standard school environments. Balans asserts that the State bears ultimate responsibility for ensuring every child's right to education and development as mandated by international treaties.

Students like Ana, a teenager from Amsterdam who previously struggled with overstimulation and spent months at home, highlight the lack of personalized guidance and structural adjustments within schools. With nearly 1,200 children in Amsterdam missing school last year, Balans is seeking a formal dialogue with the government to implement concrete measures. They are calling for increased flexibility in schedules and better support systems to ensure that all students have access to the education they are entitled to.