Municipalities in the region are stepping up their efforts to address low literacy
Six municipalities in the region see opportunities to better support people with limited basic skills, including by streamlining the range of courses offered and collaborating more closely. On behalf of the municipality of Voorschoten, Alderman Pieter Varekamp signed a renewed cooperation agreement on March 6.
In the Netherlands, more than three million adults struggle with basic skills such as reading, writing, math, and using a computer. This often has significant consequences in their daily lives. For example, it can be difficult to find or keep a job, fill out forms, apply for benefits, or understand medication package inserts.
Clear, continuous learning path
The municipalities of Lansingerland, Leidschendam-Voorburg, Pijnacker-Nootdorp, Voorschoten, Wassenaar, and Zoetermeer have laid out their plans for the next four years in the new Regional Plan for Addressing Low Literacy and Basic Skills. This will create a single, clear, continuous learning pathway. The Language Centers, which are part of the library system, generally serve as the starting point. There, residents can easily get started with, for example, a language buddy or computer classes. From there, they move on to follow-up classes offered by local and regional partners.
Focus on children as well
Attention is also being paid to ensuring the services are easy to find and widely available. The latter is particularly important for people in this situation, because using public transportation is often more difficult for them. Furthermore, the municipalities want to focus more on issues such as limited language skills within a family. Children of parents who do not have a sufficient command of the Dutch language often fall behind themselves. In addition, the municipalities are exploring ways to support young people who leave school with insufficient language skills.
Want to know more?
Would you like to learn more about what’s available in Voorschoten? Check out the library’s calendar at for activities such as the language consultation hour, the book club, and the language café.