Elementary schools could face difficulties as a result of the government’s plans to change the way they are financed, the Association of Dutch Municipalities warns in a letter addressed to parliament.

The government wants to make schools themselves pay for exterior building maintenance. Currently, maintenance is being financed by the municipalities. The municipalities note that many schools, especially the smaller ones, lack both the means and the expertise to maintain the buildings.

Schools with a tight budget could face a choice between maintaining the quality of their education or maintaining their building. Another problem highlighted by the letter is that schools housed in historic buildings could face far higher costs than those housed in modern buildings.

Citing these reasons, the Association of Dutch Municipalities is urging the government to reconsider its plans, which are scheduled to take effect in 2014 as part of its wide-ranging austerity measures.

(cl/ae)

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