A large number of secondary school pupils in the Netherlands do not believe people with a different sexual orientation are equal, according to a study carried out for the education ministry by researchers at the University of Amsterdam

The findings are based on two surveys completed by more than 31,000 pupils aged between 12 and 18 over several years.

However, the researchers warn, neither data set is representative of Dutch secondary school pupils in general, with pre-university students and non-religious teenagers over-represented in one, and younger pupils at trade schools in the other.

In the survey with more younger children, 41% of the respondents said they did not consider that heterosexual and gay people are equal, while 59% said they were. At the same time 65% said it was up to them whether they fell in love with a boy or a girl.

In the second data set, in which VWO pupils were over-represented, 61% disagreed with the statement that at least half of the toilets at school should be gender-neutral.

In addition, fewer than one in three supported marking Purple Friday at all schools, an annual event in which pupils wear purple to show solidarity with LGBTQ+ people.

LGBTQ+ rights organisation COC said it is concerned about the findings and called on the new government to provide more support to schools, teachers and pupils to promote acceptance.

“It is concerning that a minority of youngsters think that heterosexual and gay people are not equal,” junior education minister Judith Tielen told MPs. “Progressive and conservative opinions can exist side by side, but equality between people must not be undermined.

She said she plans to present measures to change the situation to parliament before the summer.