Algemene natuurwetenschappen (ANW): A new course on public understanding of science for senior general secondary education in the Netherlands

Abstract

For many scientists it is painful to notice that knowledge and insight in die field of science and technology are not as highly valued as knowledge in areas such as culture, language and sports. In the Netherlands, for forty years some scientists dreamed of a science subject in senior secondary school in which the cultural and social implications of science and technology would be the focus of attention. Until recently this was impossible as students had a lot of freedom to choose examination subjects. Out of the seven subjects which students had to follow only Dutch and one foreign language (in most cases English) were obligatory. Universities could only require one or two specific subjects for students wishing to enter certain faculties. Universities and colleges started to complain about this system in the early nineties. Their main complaint dealt widi the lack of a broad education. Many students entered the university with a strange mix of subjects or with a too specialised parcel of examination subjects. In the early 1990s universities began to express the view that students entering their institutions should be able to read at least diree foreign languages and be familiar with main ideas and approaches in the areas of mathematics, science, social science and culture. Another complaint dealt with the lack of study skills of students leaving secondary school. As a result of this an educational reform started was implemented in 1999 in all secondary schools in the Netherlands. All students in senior general secondary school (15-18 year olds) now have to study the subjects Dutch, English, French (reading), German (reading), mathematics, history and civics, arts and science. In addition, they have to choose from four packages of qualifying subjects. Two of those packages are science related: