"VTB Programme, Innovative Primary Education" Anneleen Post Presentation of the Dutch Verbreding Techniek Basisonderwijs (VTB) initiative for the broadening of Science and Technology in Primary Education. Presented at 2nd UNAWE International Workshop. (Date: October 2006)

1. Programme
Innovative Primary Education
www.programmavtb.nl
Overview
• What is the VTB Programme?
• Why the VTB Programme?
• Programme goals
• How does it work?
• Schools and examples of primary/secondary
education projects
• Progress made
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2. What is the VTB Programme?
Verbreding = Broadening
Techniek = Science and Technology
Basisonderwijs = Primary Education
2001-2004: pilot – 100 schools
2004: National Action Plan VTB
- Ministry of Education
- Funds in technical education
Support of the Royal Netherlands Academy of
Arts en Sciences
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3. Why the VTB Programme
There is a strong demand for people with
knowledge and skills in Science & Technology.
Science & technology:
- create a contemporary, attractive and
motivating learning environment for children
- can be integrated in existing subjects like math
and language
- are two of the driving forces of modernising
primary education in terms of content, didactics
and society
Goals of the VTB Programme
• access to information and materials for all
schools
• 2500 schools: science & technology in their
education, organisation and policy
• science & technology in the competence profile
and the programmes of all colleges of education
• regionally and national networks between
primary schools and their surroundings
• science & technology has a prominent position
in national follow- and evaluation instruments
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4. How does the VTB Programme work?
• assistance at both a local and regional level
- Regional Support Centres
• incorporate the position of the subject in the
central government policy and national
instruments for testing and evaluation
• combine forces with trade and industry,
science centres, educational publishers and
other relevant parties
> exchange of knowledge!
Schools
• year 2010: 2500 schools have durably
anchored science & technology in their
education, organisation and policy
• support from Regional Support Centres
• at the moment: 1330 primary schools
participating
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5. 25 Regional Support Centres
Examples of projects
• Language & Technology
• Inquisitive Learning
• TalentPower
• Bèta ambassadors
• VTB-summerschools
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6. Substantial progress in
schools
• support of the need and chosen approach
• 2004-2005:
- number of schools that meet the VTB end
requirements: 0 > 5%
- proportion of schools that did not meet the
starting requirements: 15% > 5%
• VTB schools: 2x more time spent on science &
technology as the national average
• 50% of the VTB-schools: (substantial) progress
in 1 year
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