AD reports that one in three parents have doubts about their ability to raise children, but reject any suggestion of government-sponsored courses and certainly don’t want outsiders interfering in the upbringing of offspring.

These are the results of a survey among 1,100 parents sponsored by Youth and Health Minister André Rouvoet. The survey shows that three-quarters of all parents are occasionally driven to distraction by the behaviour of their children.

According to the minister: "The survey shows that a majority of parents occasionally talk to other people about the behaviour of their children, but more than a third of the parents do not appreciate unsolicited advice from other parents."

In the survey, parents say the most difficult issue facing them is consistency; fathers complain about being unable to find time to spend with their children, mothers are often daunted by the great responsibility of being a parent.

Minister Rouvoet says he hopes parents will talk more about the problems they face in raising their children. "Talking to each other about parenting issues should become just as normal as talking about the weather."

Remarkably, one in five parents – most of them men - say they never experience any problems in raising their children.

Justice minister to expand possibilities to prosecute genocide
Trouw writes that Justice Minister Ernst Hirsch Ballin wants to amend current legislation to expand the possibilities of prosecuting genocide suspects. In a letter to parliament, the minister proposes amendments which would allow the government to prosecute cases dating back as far as 1966 compared to 2003 today.

In addition, suspects of genocide and war crimes committed in 'peacetime' could be extradited to another country or international tribunal. Conversely, the amendments would also enable the Netherlands to take over the prosecution of a genocide suspect from an international tribunal. This is important to the government because international tribunals focus primarily on the 'big fish' while the prosecution of less important suspects is usually left to national authorities.

The amendments, if adopted, could affect the status of foreigners living in the Netherlands who are suspected of war crimes. In his letter, the minister says: "It is unacceptable that a foreigner who committed genocide elsewhere should remain immune from prosecution because the Netherlands had no jurisdiction when the crime was committed. It would send the wrong message to victims and their relatives."

Also, under current legislation genocide suspects can only be prosecuted when the genocide was committed by or against a Dutch citizen or citizens. The minister says this is unacceptable because the Netherlands is a host country for several international courts and tribunals. 

Parliamentary debates on anti-squatting law
Parliament is today debating a private member’s bill which would make squatting a criminal offence punishable by up to one year in prison, or up to two years if a squatter has committed violence.

De Volkskrant writes that the bill is sponsored by the conservative VVD and two of the coalition partners: the Christian Democratic CDA and the Christian Union.

Most of the other parties are opposed to a ban on squatting, which means the bill’s sponsors need the support of the populist Freedom Party (PVV) to secure a parliamentary majority.

The initial maximum jail term of four months was immediately rejected by the PVV which said it was thinking more alone the lines of four years. Increasing the jail sentence to one year is clearly intended to persuade the PVV to support the bill. However, the party said it would not give a reaction until later on Wednesday.

At present squatting is condoned if a building has been vacant for more than a year. In a commentary, de Volkskrant writes that for a long time squatting was considered an act of social justice in the fight against rack-renters, but that the idea that squatting is a useful correction on a failing housing market has become a minority point of view. And a series of violent evictions have destroyed the romantic image of a legitimate fight against housing shortages. Also, it's mostly office buildings which are unoccupied these days.

Students to take compulsory arithmetic test during final exams
De Telegraaf reports that Deputy Education Minister Marja van Bijsterveldt will on Wednesday announce the introduction of compulsory arithmetic tests for all secondary school students sitting their final exams. The minister says the measure was prompted by the alarmingly low levels of arithmetic skills among most students. Next year the ministry will launch a trial among 1,000 secondary school students to determine how much weight the arithmetic test should carry in the final exam.

The minister’s drastic measure is intended to guarantee that secondary education students are well prepared for their continuation courses. According to De Telegraaf, standards of reading, writing and arithmetic have slipped substantially across the board in the past decades. In a recent survey, most students at a teachers’ training college for primary education failed a basic arithmetic test. Most Dutch primary and secondary schools are currently in the process of introducing stricter norms for reading, writing, and arithmetic.

Balkenende 'back in shape'
Also in today's edition of De Telegraaf is a photograph of Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende among a group of children kicking away a football at the official launch of the 1GOAL-Education for All campaign.

The global campaign is linked to the 2010 World Cup Finals in South Africa and is intended to give all children the opportunity to get an education.

 
De Telegraaf writes that "Balkenende is back in shape. His political abilities may leave something to be desired but when it comes to kicking a ball Prime Minister Balkenende is in excellent shape". As a somewhat impartial observer, I have to admit our esteemed PM does look a little more focussed than usual.