Did you know that De Achthoek and ASKO have tightened their language policy for parents who do not speak Dutch fluently?
In a formal written statement dated 25 September 2026, school director Jessica Mulder personally stated:
"Ook binnen ASKO zijn de uitgangspunten voor communicatie met ouders die het Nederlands niet of onvoldoende beheersen verder aangescherpt."
Translation: "Within ASKO, the guidelines for communication with parents who do not speak Dutch, or do not speak it sufficiently, have been further tightened."
The new policy was hidden away in the Schoolgids Basisschool De Achthoek 2026-2027 (READ IT HERE - PAGE 25)
Jessica Mulder also stated:
"De Achthoek is een reguliere Nederlandse basisschool en geen internationale school. De voertaal binnen de school en binnen ASKO is daarom in beginsel Nederlands. Van scholen en medewerkers wordt niet verwacht dat zij formele of inhoudelijke communicatie standaard in het Engels of in andere talen aanbieden.
Het feit dat een school of medewerker uit praktische overwegingen gedurende enige tijd in het Engels communiceert, schept dan ook geen recht op voortzetting van die communicatie in het Engels."
Translation: "De Achthoek is a mainstream Dutch primary school, not an international school. Consequently, the language of instruction and communication within the school—and within the ASKO organization—is, in principle, Dutch. Schools and staff members are not expected to provide formal or substantive communications in English or any other language as a standard practice.
The fact that a school or staff member may, for practical reasons, communicate in English for a period of time does not, therefore, create a right to the continuation of such communication in English."
The school is already relying on its Dutch-language policy to refuse English-language parent-teacher meetings.
This raises serious questions for every international family:
· Will you still be able to discuss your child's education and wellbeing with teachers in English?
· Will you need to arrange translation for future parent meetings?
· Why have parents not been directly informed about these tightened guidelines?
· How will the school ensure that parents who do not speak Dutch fluently can participate equally in their children's education?
We are concerned that these changes could make it harder for international parents to participate meaningfully in their children's school lives.
We are not asking teachers to abandon Dutch. We are asking for reasonable, inclusive communication so that every parent can understand and support their child's education.
We are gathering parents who want clarity, transparency and meaningful access to school communication.
If you want to join the petition and support raising these concerns alongside an existing complaint being handled by Discriminatie.nl
You can leave your email if you would like a reply and please share your experience below! (Whether you have been informed of the policy change or experienced difficulties arranging meetings in English)
Every parent deserves to understand their child's education. Language should not become a barrier to participation.
This will be brought before the Participation Council, this is the letter sent to ask this issue be included in the agenda. An update will be provided here after the meeting and emailed to you if you provide your email address.
Dear Members of the Participation Council,
I received an invitation to attend an upcoming MR meeting, I would like to formally request that De Achthoek's recently tightened language policy for non-Dutch-speaking parents be included on the agenda.
I believe this is an important school-wide issue that deserves open discussion with parent representatives.
In a formal written statement dated 25 September 2026, school director Jessica Mulder stated:
"Ook binnen ASKO zijn de uitgangspunten voor communicatie met ouders die het Nederlands niet of onvoldoende beheersen verder aangescherpt."
Jessica also stated:
Nederlands als voertaal
"De Achthoek is een reguliere Nederlandse basisschool en geen internationale school. De voertaal binnen de school en binnen ASKO is daarom in beginsel Nederlands. Van scholen en medewerkers wordt niet verwacht dat zij formele of inhoudelijke communicatie standaard in het Engels of in andere talen aanbieden.
Het feit dat een school of medewerker uit praktische overwegingen gedurende enige tijd in het Engels communiceert, schept dan ook geen recht op voortzetting van die communicatie in het Engels."
The school's position on Dutch-language communication is now explicitly described in the 2026–2027 school guide. However, I am not aware of parents having been separately informed about these developments.
A. Policy changes and parental consultation
When were these language guidelines introduced or tightened?
Was the MR consulted before the changes were implemented?
Were parents informed, and if so, when and how?
Was the MR asked to provide advice or consent concerning the revised policy or its inclusion in the school guide?
B. English-language meetings and information provided to prospective parents
The school's website continues to this day to state:
"If you are considering sending your child to De Achthoek primary school and would like to visit our school, we facilitate information meetings in English. But you're more than welcome to the other information meetings in Dutch."
This raises several questions:
Will English-language parent-teacher meetings continue to be available?
Does the school intend to continue offering introductory meetings in English while declining subsequent educational meetings in English?
Are prospective international parents informed that English-language communication may not continue after enrolment?
What arrangements will be made for families who enrolled when English-language communication was available and who relied upon that practice?
C. Transparency, reasonable accommodation and fair treatment
If a school decides to discontinue English-language meetings with an individual parent because of alleged misunderstandings, should that parent receive specific examples, dates and an opportunity to respond?
What safeguards exist to ensure that language restrictions are applied consistently and are not used selectively against individual parents?
What practical alternatives will be offered, including English-speaking staff, interpreters or other appropriate language assistance?
How will the school ensure that non-Dutch-speaking parents can meaningfully participate in discussions concerning their children's education, development and wellbeing?
www.discriminatie.nl is currently examining a complaint concerning the school's refusal to conduct parent meetings in English.
However, I believe the broader policy questions should also be considered independently by the MR.
If De Achthoek welcomes international families, it is important that those families understand the school's communication arrangements before enrolling and can participate meaningfully in their children's education afterwards.
I am not suggesting that De Achthoek must abandon Dutch as its primary language. I am asking whether the school's current approach provides reasonable, transparent and inclusive arrangements for families who do not speak Dutch fluently.
I would appreciate confirmation that this matter will be placed on the next MR agenda, together with information about the meeting date and whether parents will have an opportunity to contribute to the discussion.
Thank you for considering this request.