# List of ministers of education of the Netherlands

The minister of education, culture and science (Dutch: Minister van Onderwijs, Cultuur en Wetenschap) is the head of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science and a member of the Cabinet and the Council of Ministers. The current minister of education, culture and science is Eppo Bruins of New Social Contract (NSC) who has been in office since 2 July 2024. The minister of education, culture and science is often assigned a state secretary who is tasked with specific portfolios, currently Mariëlle Paul of the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD). In the past, there have been ministers without portfolio assigned to the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science.

## List of ministers of education
### Education, arts and sciences (1918–1965)

| Name (Birth–Death) | Term of office | Party | Cabinet |
| Dr. Johannes Theodoor de Visser (1857–1932) | 25 September 1918 – 4 August 1925 | Christian Historical Union | Ruijs de Beerenbrouck I, II |
| Victor Henri Rutgers (1877–1945) | 4 August 1925 – 8 March 1926 | Anti-Revolutionary Party | Colijn I |
| Marius Waszink (1881–1943) | 8 March 1926 – 10 August 1929 | Roman Catholic State Party | De Geer I |
| Jan Terpstra (1888–1952) | 10 August 1929 – 26 May 1933 | Anti-Revolutionary Party | Ruijs de Beerenbrouck III |
| Henri Marchant (1869–1956) | 26 May 1933 – 18 May 1935 Resigned | Free-thinking Democratic League | Colijn II |
| Dr. Jan Rudolph Slotemaker de Bruïne (1869–1941) | 18 May 1935 – 25 July 1939 | Christian Historical Union | Colijn II |
| Dr. Jan Rudolph Slotemaker de Bruïne (1869–1941) | 18 May 1935 – 25 July 1939 | Christian Historical Union | Colijn III, IV |
| Dr. Bep Schrieke (1890–1945) | 25 July 1939 – 10 August 1939 | Independent Liberal | Colijn V |
| Gerrit Bolkestein (1871–1956) | 10 August 1939 – 25 June 1945 | Free-thinking Democratic League | De Geer II |
| Gerrit Bolkestein (1871–1956) | 10 August 1939 – 25 June 1945 | Free-thinking Democratic League | Gerbrandy I, II, III |
| Dr. Gerard van der Leeuw (1898–1981) | 25 June 1945 – 3 July 1946 | Social Democratic Workers' Party | Schermerhorn–Drees |
| Dr. Gerard van der Leeuw (1898–1981) | 25 June 1945 – 3 July 1946 | Labour Party | Schermerhorn–Drees |
| Dr. Jos Gielen (1898–1981) | 3 July 1946 – 7 August 1948 | Catholic People's Party | Beel I |
| Dr. Theo Rutten (1899–1980) | 7 August 1948 – 2 September 1952 | Catholic People's Party | Drees–Van Schaik |
| Dr. Theo Rutten (1899–1980) | 7 August 1948 – 2 September 1952 | Catholic People's Party | Drees I |
| Jo Cals (1914–1971) | 2 September 1952 – 7 November 1961 | Catholic People's Party | Drees II, III |
| Jo Cals (1914–1971) | 2 September 1952 – 7 November 1961 | Catholic People's Party | Beel II |
| Jo Cals (1914–1971) | 2 September 1952 – 7 November 1961 | Catholic People's Party | De Quay |
| Dr. Marga Klompé (1912–1986) | 7 November 1961 – 4 February 1962 Acting | Catholic People's Party | De Quay |
| Jo Cals (1914–1971) | 4 February 1962 – 23 April 1963 | Catholic People's Party | De Quay |
| Dr. Marga Klompé (1912–1986) | 23 April 1963 – 24 July 1963 Acting | Catholic People's Party | De Quay |
| Theo Bot (1911–1984) | 24 July 1963 – 14 April 1965 | Catholic People's Party | Marijnen |
    $^{Medicalleaveofabsencefrom7November1961until4February1962andfrom23April1963}$
    $^{MinisterofSocialAffairsin1935}$
    $^{MinisterofSocialWork}$

### Education and sciences (1965–1994)

| Name (Birth–Death) | Term of office | Party | Cabinet |
| Dr. Isaäc Arend Diepenhorst (1916–2004) | 14 April 1965 – 5 April 1967 | Anti-Revolutionary Party | Cals |
| Dr. Isaäc Arend Diepenhorst (1916–2004) | 14 April 1965 – 5 April 1967 | Anti-Revolutionary Party | Zijlstra |
| Dr. Gerard Veringa (1924–1999) | 5 April 1967 – 6 July 1971 | Catholic People's Party | De Jong |
| Chris van Veen (1922–2009) | 6 July 1971 – 11 May 1973 | Christian Historical Union | Biesheuvel I, II |
| Dr. Jos van Kemenade (1937–2020) | 11 May 1973 – 19 December 1977 | Labour Party | Den Uyl |
| Dr. Arie Pais (1930–2022) | 19 December 1977 – 11 September 1981 | People's Party for Freedom and Democracy | Van Agt I |
| Dr. Jos van Kemenade (1937–2020) | 11 September 1981 – 29 May 1982 Resigned | Labour Party | Van Agt II |
| Wim Deetman (born 1945) | 29 May 1982 – 14 September 1989 | Christian Democratic Appeal | Van Agt III |
| Wim Deetman (born 1945) | 29 May 1982 – 14 September 1989 | Christian Democratic Appeal | Lubbers I |
| Wim Deetman (born 1945) | 29 May 1982 – 14 September 1989 | Christian Democratic Appeal | Lubbers II |
| Gerrit Braks (1933–2017) | 14 September 1989 – 7 November 1989 Ad interim | Christian Democratic Appeal | Lubbers II |
| Dr. Jo Ritzen (born 1945) | 7 November 1989 – 22 August 1994 | Labour Party | Lubbers III |
    $^{AppointedasSpeakeroftheHouseofRepresentatives}$
    $^{MinisterofAgricultureandFisheries}$

### Education, culture and science (since 1994)

| Name (Birth–Death) | Term of office | Party | Cabinet |
| Dr. Jo Ritzen (born 1945) | 22 August 1994 – 3 August 1998 | Labour Party | Kok I |
| Loek Hermans (born 1951) | 3 August 1998 – 22 July 2002 | People's Party for Freedom and Democracy | Kok II |
| Maria van der Hoeven (born 1949) | 22 July 2002 – 22 February 2007 | Christian Democratic Appeal | Balkenende I, II, III |
| Dr. Ronald Plasterk (born 1957) | 22 February 2007 – 23 February 2010 Resigned | Labour Party | Balkenende IV |
| André Rouvoet (born 1962) | 23 February 2010 – 14 October 2010 | Christian Union | Balkenende IV |
| Marja van Bijsterveldt (born 1961) | 14 October 2010 – 5 November 2012 | Christian Democratic Appeal | Rutte I |
| Dr. Jet Bussemaker (born 1961) | 5 November 2012 – 26 October 2017 | Labour Party | Rutte II |
| Ingrid van Engelshoven (born 1966) | 26 October 2017 – 10 January 2022 | Democrats 66 | Rutte III |
| Dr. Robbert Dijkgraaf (born 1960) | 10 January 2022 – 2 July 2024 | Democrats 66 | Rutte IV |
| Eppo Bruins (born 1969) | 10 January 2022 – 2 July 2024 | New Social Contract | Schoof |
    $^{DeputyPrimeMinister}$
    $^{MinisterwithoutPortfolioforHealth,WelfareandSport}$

## List of ministers without portfolio

| Portrait | Name (Birth–Death) | Portfolio(s) | Term of office | Party | Cabinet |
| | Jonkheer Mauk de Brauw (1925–1984) | • Higher Education • Science Policy | 6 July 1971 – 21 July 1972 Resigned | Democratic Socialists '70 | Biesheuvel I |
| | Chris van Veen (1922–2009) | • Higher Education • Science Policy | 21 July 1972 – 11 May 1973 | Christian Historical Union | Biesheuvel I |
| | Chris van Veen (1922–2009) | • Higher Education • Science Policy | 21 July 1972 – 11 May 1973 | Christian Historical Union | Biesheuvel II |
| | Boy Trip (1921–1990) | • Science Policy | 11 May 1973 – 19 December 1977 | Political Party of Radicals | Den Uyl |
| | Rinus Peijnenburg (1928–1979) | • Science Policy | 19 December 1977 – 1 April 1979 Died in office | Catholic People's Party | Van Agt I |
| | Dr. Leendert Ginjaar (1928–2003) | • Science Policy | 1 April 1979 – 3 May 1979 Acting | People's Party for Freedom and Democracy | Van Agt I |
| | Dr. Ton van Trier (1926–1983) | • Science Policy | 3 May 1979 – 11 September 1981 | Independent Catholic | Van Agt I |
| | Dr. Ton van Trier (1926–1983) | • Science Policy | 3 May 1979 – 11 September 1981 | Catholic People's Party | Van Agt I |
| | Dr. Ton van Trier (1926–1983) | • Science Policy | 3 May 1979 – 11 September 1981 | Christian Democratic Appeal | Van Agt I |
| Not in use (1981–2017) |||||||
| | Arie Slob (born 1961) | • Primary Education • Secondary Education • Special Education • Preschool • Media | 26 October 2017 – 10 January 2022 | Christian Union | Rutte III |
| | Dennis Wiersma (born 1986) | • Primary Education • Secondary Education • Special Education • Preschool • Media | 10 January 2022 – 22 June 2023 | People's Party for Freedom and Democracy | Rutte IV |
| | Mariëlle Paul (born 1966) | • Primary Education • Secondary Education • Special Education • Preschool • Media | 21 July 2023 – 2 July 2024 | People's Party for Freedom and Democracy | Rutte IV |
| Not in use (since 2024) |||||||
    $^{MinisterofEducationandSciences}$
    $^{MinisterofHealthandEnvironment}$

## List of state secretaries of education
### Education, arts and sciences (1950–1965)

| Name (Birth–Death) | Portfolio(s) | Term of office | Party | Cabinet |
| Jo Cals (1914–1971) | • Youth Care • Nature • Media • Culture • Art • Recreation • Sport | 15 March 1950 – 2 September 1952 | Catholic People's Party | Drees–Van Schaik |
| Jo Cals (1914–1971) | • Youth Care • Nature • Media • Culture • Art • Recreation • Sport | 15 March 1950 – 2 September 1952 | Catholic People's Party | Drees I |
| Dr. Anna de Waal (1906–1981) | • Primary Education • Secondary Education • Special Education • Youth Care | 2 February 1953 – 16 March 1957 Resigned | Catholic People's Party | Drees II |
| Dr. Anna de Waal (1906–1981) | • Primary Education • Secondary Education • Special Education • Youth Care | 2 February 1953 – 16 March 1957 Resigned | Catholic People's Party | Drees III |
| René Höppener (1903–1983) | • Youth Care • Nature • Media • Culture • Art • Recreation • Sport | 12 November 1956 – 19 May 1959 | Catholic People's Party | Drees III |
| René Höppener (1903–1983) | • Youth Care • Nature • Media • Culture • Art • Recreation • Sport | 12 November 1956 – 19 May 1959 | Catholic People's Party | Beel II |
| Gerard Stubenrouch (1918–1962) | • Primary Education • Secondary Education | 16 June 1959 – 22 April 1962 Died in office | Catholic People's Party | De Quay |
| Dr. Harry Janssen (1910–1982) | • Primary Education • Secondary Education | 4 June 1962 – 24 July 1963 | Catholic People's Party | De Quay |
| Ynso Scholten (1918–1984) | • Youth Care • Nature • Media • Culture • Art • Recreation • Sport | 16 June 1959 – 24 July 1963 | Christian Historical Union | De Quay |
| Hans Grosheide (1930–2022) | • Primary Education • Secondary Education • Special Education | 3 September 1963 – 14 April 1965 | Anti-Revolutionary Party | Marijnen |
| Louis van de Laar (1921–2004) | • Social Services • Youth Care • Media • Culture • Art • Recreation • Sport | 24 October 1963 – 14 April 1965 | Catholic People's Party | Marijnen |

### Education and sciences (1965–1994)

| Name (Birth–Death) | Portfolio(s) | Term of office | Party | Cabinet |
| Hans Grosheide (1930-2022) | • Primary Education • Secondary Education • Special Education | 14 April 1965 – 6 July 1971 | Anti-Revolutionary Party | Cals |
| Hans Grosheide (1930-2022) | • Primary Education • Secondary Education • Special Education | 14 April 1965 – 6 July 1971 | Anti-Revolutionary Party | Zijlstra |
| Hans Grosheide (1930-2022) | • Primary Education • Secondary Education • Special Education | 14 April 1965 – 6 July 1971 | Anti-Revolutionary Party | De Jong |
| Kees Schelfhout (1918–1983) | • Primary Education • Special Education • Preschool | 28 July 1971 – 11 May 1973 | Catholic People's Party | Biesheuvel I, II |
| Dr. Ger Klein (1925–1998) | • Higher education | 11 May 1973 – 8 September 1977 Resigned | Labour Party | Den Uyl |
| Dr. Antoon Veerman (1916–1993) | • Secondary Education • Special Education | 11 May 1973 – 1 September 1975 Resigned | Anti-Revolutionary Party | Den Uyl |
| Klaas de Jong (1926–2011) | • Secondary Education • Special Education | 1 September 1975 – 19 December 1977 | Anti-Revolutionary Party | Den Uyl |
| Klaas de Jong (1926–2011) | • Secondary Education | 19 December 1977 – 11 September 1981 | Anti-Revolutionary Party | Van Agt I |
| Ad Hermes (1929–2002) | • Primary Education | 9 January 1978 – 29 May 1982 | Catholic People's Party | Van Agt I |
| Ad Hermes (1929–2002) | • Primary Education | 9 January 1978 – 29 May 1982 | Christian Democratic Appeal | Van Agt II |
| Ad Hermes (1929–2002) | • Primary Education • Special Education | 29 May 1982 – 4 November 1982 | Christian Democratic Appeal | Van Agt III |
| Wim Deetman (born 1945) | • Secondary Education • Adult Education | 11 September 1981 – 29 May 1982 | Christian Democratic Appeal | Van Agt II |
| Nell Ginjaar-Maas (1931–2012) | • Secondary Education • Adult Education | 5 November 1982 – 14 July 1986 | People's Party for Freedom and Democracy | Lubbers I |
| Nell Ginjaar-Maas (1931–2012) | • Primary Education • Secondary Education • Adult Education | 14 July 1986 – 7 November 1989 | People's Party for Freedom and Democracy | Lubbers II |
| Gerard van Leijenhorst (1928–2001) | • Primary Education | 8 November 1982 – 14 July 1986 | Christian Democratic Appeal | Lubbers I |
| Jacques Wallage (born 1946) | • Primary Education • Secondary Education • Special Education | 7 November 1989 – 9 June 1993 | Labour Party | Lubbers III |
| Dr. Roel in 't Veld (born 1942) | • Secondary Education • Higher education • Science Policy | 9 June 1993 – 19 June 1993 Resigned | Labour Party | Lubbers III |
| Dr. Job Cohen (born 1947) | • Higher education • Science Policy | 2 July 1993 – 22 August 1994 | Labour Party | Lubbers III |
    $^{AppointedasStateSecretaryforSocialAffairsandEmployment}$

### Education, culture and science (since 1994)

| Portrait | Name (Birth–Death) | Portfolio(s) | Term of office | Party | Cabinet |
| | Tineke Netelenbos (born 1944) | • Primary Education • Secondary Education • Special Education | 22 August 1994 – 3 August 1998 | Labour Party | Kok I |
| | Aad Nuis (1933–2007) | • Science Policy • Media • Culture • Art | 22 August 1994 – 3 August 1998 | Democrats 66 | Kok I |
| | Karin Adelmund (1949–2005) | • Primary Education • Secondary Education • Special Education | 3 August 1998 – 22 July 2002 | Labour Party | Kok II |
| | Dr. Rick van der Ploeg (born 1956) | • Media • Culture • Art | 3 August 1998 – 22 July 2002 | Labour Party | Kok II |
| | Annette Nijs (born 1961) | • Higher Education • Adult Education • Science Policy | 22 July 2002 – 9 June 2004 Resigned | People's Party for Freedom and Democracy | Balkenende I |
| | Annette Nijs (born 1961) | • Higher Education • Adult Education • Science Policy | 22 July 2002 – 9 June 2004 Resigned | People's Party for Freedom and Democracy | Balkenende II |
| | Mark Rutte (born 1967) | • Higher Education • Adult Education • Science Policy | 17 June 2004 – 27 June 2006 Resigned | People's Party for Freedom and Democracy | Balkenende II |
| | Bruno Bruins (born 1963) | • Higher Education • Adult Education • Science Policy | 29 June 2006 – 3 July 2006 | People's Party for Freedom and Democracy | Balkenende II |
| | Bruno Bruins (born 1963) | • Higher Education • Adult Education • Science Policy | 3 July 2006 – 22 February 2007 | People's Party for Freedom and Democracy | Balkenende III |
| | Cees van Leeuwen (born 1951) | • Media • Culture • Art | 22 July 2002 – 27 May 2003 | Pim Fortuyn List | Balkenende I |
| | Medy van der Laan (born 1968) | • Media • Culture • Art | 27 May 2003 – 3 July 2006 Resigned | Democrats 66 | Balkenende II |
| | Marja van Bijsterveldt (born 1961) | • Secondary Education | 22 February 2007 – 23 February 2010 | Christian Democratic Appeal | Balkenende IV |
| | Marja van Bijsterveldt (born 1961) | • Higher Education • Secondary Education • Science • Media • Culture • Art • Emancipation | 23 February 2010 – 14 October 2010 | Christian Democratic Appeal | Balkenende IV |
| | Sharon Dijksma (born 1971) | • Primary Education • Special Education • Preschool | 22 February 2007 – 23 February 2010 Resigned | Labour Party | Balkenende IV |
| | Halbe Zijlstra (born 1969) | • Higher Education • Adult Education • Science Policy • Culture • Art | 14 October 2010 – 5 November 2012 | People's Party for Freedom and Democracy | Rutte I |
| | Sander Dekker (born 1975) | • Higher Education • Science Policy • Media • Culture • Art | 5 November 2012 – 26 October 2017 | People's Party for Freedom and Democracy | Rutte II |
| Vacant |||||||
| | Dr. Gunay Uslu (born 1972) | • Culture • Media • Art | 10 January 2022 – 1 December 2023 | Democrats 66 | Rutte IV |
| | Robbert Dijkgraaf (born 1960) | • Culture • Media • Art | 1 December 2023 – 6 December 2023 Acting | Democrats 66 | Rutte IV |
| | Steven van Weyenberg (born 1973) | • Culture • Media • Art | 6 December 2023 – 12 January 2024 | Democrats 66 | Rutte IV |
| | Fleur Gräper (born 1974) | • Culture • Media • Art | 12 January 2024 – 2 July 2024 | Democrats 66 | Rutte IV |
| | Mariëlle Paul (born 1966) | • Primary Education • Secondary Education • Equal Opportunities | 2 July 2024 – Incumbent | People's Party for Freedom and Democracy | Schoof |

## List of ministers of social work
### Social work (1952–1965)

| Name (Birth–Death) | Term of office | Party | Cabinet |
| Dr. Louis Beel (1902–1977) | 2 September 1952 – 9 September 1952 Ad Interim | Catholic People's Party | Drees II |
| Frans-Jozef van Thiel (1906–1993) | 9 September 1952 – 13 October 1956 | Catholic People's Party | Drees II |
| Dr. Marga Klompé (1912–1986) | 13 October 1956 – 24 July 1963 | Catholic People's Party | Drees III |
| Dr. Marga Klompé (1912–1986) | 13 October 1956 – 24 July 1963 | Catholic People's Party | Beel II |
| Dr. Marga Klompé (1912–1986) | 13 October 1956 – 24 July 1963 | Catholic People's Party | De Quay |
| Jo Schouwenaar- Franssen (1909–1995) | 24 July 1963 – 14 April 1965 | People's Party for Freedom and Democracy | Marijnen |
    $^{DeputyPrimeMinister}$
    $^{MinisteroftheInterior}$

### Culture, recreation and social work (1965–1982)

| Name (Birth–Death) | Term of office | Party | Cabinet |
| Maarten Vrolijk (1919–1994) | 14 April 1965 – 22 November 1966 | Labour Party | Cals |
| Dr. Marga Klompé (1912–1986) | 22 November 1966 – 7 January 1971 | Catholic People's Party | Zijlstra |
| Dr. Marga Klompé (1912–1986) | 22 November 1966 – 7 January 1971 | Catholic People's Party | De Jong |
| Dr. Gerard Veringa (1924–1999) | 7 January 1971 – 22 February 1971 Acting | Catholic People's Party | De Jong |
| Dr. Marga Klompé (1912–1986) | 22 February 1971 – 6 July 1971 | Catholic People's Party | De Jong |
| Piet Engels (1922–2009) | 6 July 1971 – 11 May 1973 | Catholic People's Party | Biesheuvel I, II |
| Harry van Doorn (1915–1992) | 11 May 1973 – 19 December 1977 | Political Party of Radicals | Den Uyl |
| Til Gardeniers- Berendsen (1925–2019) | 19 December 1977 – 11 September 1981 | Catholic People's Party | Van Agt I |
| Til Gardeniers- Berendsen (1925–2019) | 19 December 1977 – 11 September 1981 | Christian Democratic Appeal | Van Agt I |
| André van der Louw (1933–2005) | 11 September 1981 – 29 May 1982 Resigned | Labour Party | Van Agt II |
| Hans de Boer (born 1937) | 29 May 1982 – 11 October 1982 | Christian Democratic Appeal | Van Agt III |
| Til Gardeniers- Berendsen (1925–2019) | 11 October 1982 – 4 November 1982 Ad Interim | Christian Democratic Appeal | Van Agt III |
    $^{Medicalleaveofabsencefrom7January1971until22February1971}$
    $^{Medicalleaveofabsencefrom11October1982}$
    $^{MinisterofEducationandSciences}$
    $^{MinisterofHealthandEnvironment}$

## List of state secretaries of social work

| Portrait | Name (Birth–Death) | Portfolio(s) | Term of office | Party | Cabinet |
| | Cees Egas (1913–2001) | • Social Services • Youth Care • Nature • Culture • Art • Recreation • Sport | 10 May 1965 – 22 November 1966 | Labour Party | Cals |
| Vacant |||||||
| | Hein van de Poel (1915–1993) | • Unemployment • Social Services • Youth Care • Nature • Culture • Art • Recreation • Sport | 29 May 1967 – 6 July 1971 | Catholic People's Party | De Jong |
| | Fia van Veenendaal- van Meggelen (1918–2005) | • Social Services • Disability Policy | 28 July 1971 – 21 July 1972 Resigned | Democratic Socialists '70 | Biesheuvel I |
| | Henk Vonhoff (1931–2010) | • Youth Care • Nature • Culture • Art • Recreation • Sport | 28 July 1971 – 23 April 1973 Resigned | People's Party for Freedom and Democracy | Biesheuvel I |
| | Henk Vonhoff (1931–2010) | • Social Services • Disability Policy • Youth Care • Nature • Culture • Art • Recreation • Sport | 28 July 1971 – 23 April 1973 Resigned | People's Party for Freedom and Democracy | Biesheuvel II |
| | Wim Meijer (born 1939) | • Social Services • Environmental Policy • Nature • Recreation | 11 May 1973 – 8 September 1977 Resigned | Labour Party | Den Uyl |
| | Jeltien Kraaijeveld-Wouters (born 1932) | • Unemployment • Equality • Emancipation | 28 December 1977 – 9 September 1981 Resigned | Anti-Revolutionary Party | Van Agt I |
| | Jeltien Kraaijeveld-Wouters (born 1932) | • Unemployment • Equality • Emancipation | 28 December 1977 – 9 September 1981 Resigned | Christian Democratic Appeal | Van Agt I |
| | Gerard Wallis de Vries (1936–2018) | • Social Services • Environmental Policy • Nature • Media • Culture • Art • Recreation • Sport | 4 January 1978 – 11 September 1981 | People's Party for Freedom and Democracy | Van Agt I |
| | Hans de Boer (born 1937) | • Social Services • Nature • Culture • Art • Recreation | 11 September 1981 – 29 May 1982 | Christian Democratic Appeal | Van Agt II |