In the Netherlands, 2.5 million people have difficulty with reading, writing and/or arithmetic, which prevents them from fully participating in society. In Heerlen, South Limburg, where a relatively large number of low-literate people live, we come across many separate initiatives to tackle language disadvantages: from projects in the playgroup to extra reading lessons in education and language courses for adults. Yet a more structural solution to this problem seems to be lacking. What is needed to ensure that future generations grow up without language disadvantages?
