Dutch schools join new textbook publisher to cut costs, improve sustainability

Nearly 1,400 schools in the Netherlands, representing more than 650,000 students, have joined Neon, a new cooperative schoolbook publisher, seeking more control over the price, quality, and sustainability of textbooks, according to NOS. The movement encompasses about a quarter of all primary and secondary school students nationwide.

Schools have expressed dissatisfaction with both the quality and high prices of existing textbooks. They also criticize sustainability, as many workbooks become unusable after a single year and must be discarded. Two government investigations into market practices in the sector are ongoing, and the State Secretary recently threatened intervention.

School boards represented by the PO-Raad and VO-Raad report that traditional publishers are showing signs of change. “We cannot escape the impression that the arrival of Neon is positively contributing to this changing attitude,” the VO-Raad told NOS. The first chapters will be tested after the summer break, with full textbooks ready the following school year.

Marten Blankesteijn, Neon’s founder and former creator of the digital kiosk Blendle, launched the cooperative to produce lower-cost schoolbooks with participating schools. Around 120 school communities, including 515 primary schools and 883 secondary schools, are now members, a significant increase from the 12 communities and 70,000 students registered by November.

This month, Neon began developing content with a team of 50 authors, primarily teachers who also teach in classrooms. More than 1,000 people applied for the roles. Michelle van Dijk, responsible for the author team, said, “We have been able to find very good writers. From people who are young and fresh from training to ‘YouTube teachers’ and educators with years of experience. That generates a lot of energy.” Unlike many traditional publishers, these authors are employed on a salary.

Blankesteijn said the cost will remain low. “For all Neon methods, schools pay around 20 euros per student per year. That is less than what they currently pay for a single method.” Printing costs of a few euros per book will be additional.