Better Internet for Kids

The Free and Safe Education Act is a new bill that aims to further strengthen social safety in Dutch education. This law is expected to come into effect on 1 August 2026 and requires primary, secondary, and special education schools in the Netherlands to implement and actively maintain a social safety policy, including designated roles for bullying reporting and coordination. It also mandates schools to monitor students' perceptions of safety and well-being using valid tools to prevent and address incidents like bullying and aggression. The proposed Act strengthens school safety through mandatory incident registration, expanded reporting of sexual misconduct, enhanced student safety monitoring, and the required appointment of internal and external confidential counselors. Schools must implement a formal complaints procedure, join national complaints committees, and evaluate their safety policies annually. A dedicated safety coordinator must be appointed to oversee these efforts.

(Source: School and Veiligheid)

Entities responsible for implementation: Inspectorate of Education