Why are Dutch students falling behind? What's really happening

Dutch students are struggling more than ever

Something worrying is happening in Dutch classrooms and across Europe. Over the last ten years, the skills and grades of young people have fallen noticeably. This isn't just about one subject — reading, maths, and critical thinking are all affected. For a country that prides itself on education, this is a serious wake-up call.

What's driving the decline?

Experts point to several culprits. Social media — apps like TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat — eats up hours that students used to spend on homework and reading. These platforms are designed to keep people scrolling, and young brains are especially vulnerable to distraction. At the same time, artificial intelligence (AI — computer systems that can learn and make decisions) is changing how students work and think. Some use AI tools to write essays instead of learning to write themselves. Phones in the classroom, gaming, and less time reading books all play a role too.

Why should you care?

This matters far beyond report cards. Today's struggling students will be tomorrow's workers, engineers, teachers, and leaders. If they leave school with weaker reading skills, problem-solving abilities, and focus, the entire Dutch economy could suffer. We need skilled people to build, innovate, and keep society running smoothly. When grades drop across an entire generation, employers find it harder to hire capable staff, and the country's competitiveness weakens.

What happens next?

Schools and policymakers are starting to take action — rethinking how to teach in an age of endless digital distraction, setting limits on phone use during lessons, and finding ways to harness AI as a learning tool rather than a shortcut. But change takes time, and the problem is getting worse faster than solutions are being rolled out.