Independence and Parental Support in Student Transport: The Role of Municipalities, Education, and Virtual OV
Recent news shows that municipalities are increasingly placing the responsibility for student transport to special education on parents. This raises the important question: how can municipalities, educational institutions, and innovative solutions such as Virtual OV work together to make young people more independent while at the same time providing parents with the right support?
According to the Reformatorisch Dagblad, parents are being asked, for example, to take care of transport themselves one day a week or to bring their child to a pick-up point. While understandable from a cost perspective, this places a heavy burden on families who often already face many challenges7.
The advocacy organization Ouders & Onderwijs expresses concerns about this development. Inge Verdaasdonk states: "You don't choose special education; it happens to you." Municipalities are legally obliged to arrange student transport, but parents now often have to prove that they are unable to do this themselves1235.
Jan Hofman, intended chairman of the Association for Student Transport (VLLV), emphasizes a new vision: "From standard student transport by taxi to giving children the opportunity to travel safely and independently to special education."
Education as the Key to Independence in Student Transport
Schools play a crucial role in increasing students' self-reliance. Independent travel is not only a practical skill but also an important part of citizenship education. By including travel skills in the curriculum, schools can contribute to:
Independence of students
Fulfilling legal obligations regarding citizenship education
Preparation for social participation
Virtual OV: An Innovative Solution for Student Transport
Virtual OV offers an innovative approach to the student transport issue. This Virtual Reality learning platform allows young people to practice traveling by public transport in a safe, virtual environment. The program includes:
Realistic scenarios for route planning
Exercises in dealing with delays or disruptions
In West Brabant, Virtual OV has already achieved success. Thanks to provincial subsidies, special education schools have implemented VR training with positive results:
Students feel more confident
Reduced dependence on adapted transport
Reduced pressure on student transport
Parents experience more peace of mind and confidence in their child's abilities86
Collaboration for Effective Student Transport
A successful approach requires cooperation between all parties involved:
Municipalities: Support Virtual OV as part of student transport policy
Educational institutions: Integrate Virtual OV into citizenship programs
Virtual OV: Provide practical tools and guidance for independent travel
Benefits for All Stakeholders
This form of cooperation in student transport offers clear benefits for all involved:
Parents: Less dependence on adapted transport, more tools to support their child, and greater confidence in their child's independence
Municipalities: Lower costs due to reduced demand for adapted transport
Schools: Efficient implementation of citizenship education
Young people: More self-confidence, more independence, and access to more social opportunities861011
Conclusion: Student Transport as an Opportunity for Independence and Inclusion, with Attention to Parental Support
The shift in responsibility for student transport offers an opportunity for young people to participate in society more independently and inclusively. Through effective collaboration between municipalities, educational institutions, and Virtual OV, this transition can not only be successfully realized but also provide the necessary support to parents.
Would you like to know more about how Virtual OV can contribute to independence and inclusion in student transport, and how it can specifically support parents? Visit www.virtualov.nl for more information.
VLLV 'Veranderingen op het gebied van leerlingenvervoer zijn noodzakelijk' - Nieuwsplein33
Dagblad 010 Gemeenten leggen vervoer naar speciaal onderwijs bij ouders