The historical roots of our education system

How can we use history to better understand contemporary educational issues? This question is central to the research of educational scientist Hilda Amsing. On September 13, 2024, she will deliver her inaugural lecture (in Dutch) at the Academy Building of the University of Groningen.

Within her chair ‘History of Dutch Education’, Hilda Amsing connects the history of education to current issues. “After my studies in educational sciences, I more or less accidentally entered the field of historical pedagogy. I quickly realized how valuable knowledge of Dutch educational history is for a good understanding of contemporary education.”

Frame of Reference

According to Amsing, knowledge of the history of Dutch education provides an important frame of reference for better understanding contemporary educational issues. “When you consider something historically, you gain better insight into how policy, practice, and discussions are rooted in the social context and how the present relates to the past. Without knowledge of that history, a proper understanding of the present is not really possible.”

Middle Schools

In her inaugural lecture titled "Middle school battleground: Political decision-making around integrated secondary education, 1973-1977" Amsing addresses the current issue of educational inequality and discusses a solution that was proposed in the past: middle schools. She focuses on the political decision-making process and questions why the middle school initiative did not succeed.

Aletta Jacobs Incentive Fund

Amsing's chair is made possible by the Aletta Jacobs Incentive Fund. This fund aims to increase gender equality at the professorial level at the University of Groningen.