127 million euro in school coffers

Altogether, Dutch educational institutions had 127 million euro in the coffers in 2009. The financial surplus of schools was reduced over the past years. In primary education, expenditure for the first time exceeded revenue in 2009. The deficit was largely offset by income from interest.

Financial result reduced by half

School revenues exceeded expenditure by 127 million euro in 2009, but the financial result was reduced by half relative to the previous year and has steadily dropped over the past years. In 2006, for example, the financial result amounted to more than 550 million euro. Universities and primary education schools faced the most substantial downturn in 2009.

Financial results schools

Primary education in the red

Primary education was in the red figures in 2009 (14 million euro). Personnel costs increased by more than 9 percent in 2009 and costs of accommodation by 18 percent, but the government contribution was raised by nearly 9 percent. Secondary vocational education (mbo) was back in the black in 2009 due to an extra government contribution.

More and more schools have surplus

Approximately half of schools in primary and secondary education had money in the coffers in 2009 versus three quarters in 2006. Many schools receive interest income on financial reserves built up in the past. Income from interest plus government contribution are enough to pay the costs.

Schools in primary and secondary education by financial result

School buildings and instructional materials constitute larger part of total assets

Although the surplus is declining, total assets of educational institutions remains high. In primary education, secondary education, mbo and higher vocational education (hbo), there has been a shift in recent years. Currently, a growing part of the capital owned by educational institutions is invested in school buildings and instructional materials and a smaller part consists of financial assets.

Share school buildings and instructional materials in total assets schools

Egon Dietz