RNW Dutch Press Review - Thursday 6 March 2008 - by Nicola Chadwick

De Volkskrant, Trouw and AD all report the Dutch Labour Party are having second thoughts about introducing free schoolbooks for secondary school pupils.

Judicial quagmire

The Green Left and SP have already changed their minds about the plan. In a debate in the Lower House on Tuesday, MPs raised concerns about schools entering a judicial quagmire as a result of European legislation on spending. And publishers have pointed out that teachers may no longer be able to opt for the teaching method of their choice.

D66 fear people on low incomes will no longer be entitled to compensation. However, the CDA points out that a third of parents that could benefit from the current compensation do not actually apply for it and that the compensation does not actually cover the whole cost, which can run up to 300 euros per child.
The conservative VVD party was always against the idea calling it a "waste of taxpayers money."

Drugs debate

Trouw reports on a drugs debate being held by Dutch MPs in the Lower House today. The debate has been requested by the D66 democrats because of an upcoming ban on the selling of hallucinatory mushrooms and the closure of coffee shops near schools. The debate will also review the relaxed Dutch approach to soft drugs policy, which focuses on the health aspects of drug taking.
Although most parties agree on tough measures against hard drugs, there are huge divisions when it comes to soft drugs policy.

Some MPs want to take current legislation a step further. They even suggest supplying soft drug outlets with marijuana grown under government supervision. This way coffee shop owners no longer have to buy their wares from illegal sources. This idea has been put forward twice before, even winning a majority in the house, but the government have up to now refused to take it on. Chances seem slim that this government will do any different.

 1 2 Next >