KNS · Topic 2 · 7 questions · about 11 minutes

Education: the school system and compulsory schooling

Onderwijs

In the Netherlands children must go to school from the age of 5. You will learn about the school system, compulsory education and what is expected of you as a parent.

Explanation

Starting school

In the Netherlands children can start school at 4; from the age of 5 going to school is compulsory. The education system consists of primary school (basisschool), secondary school (middelbare school) and then vocational or higher education.

Education at government-funded schools is free. As a parent you are expected to stay in touch with the school, go to parent meetings and follow your child's development.

The school system

basisschool lasts eight years and the classes are called groep. At the end of groep 8 the child is directed to a level of secondary education based on the teacher's school recommendation (schooladvies) and a test (doorstroomtoets). It is possible to switch between levels later on.

Age	School	Explanation
0–4	de kinderopvang	childcare; not compulsory, paid
4–12	de basisschool	groep 1–8
12–16	het vmbo	4 years; prepares for a vocation
12–17	de havo	5 years; prepares for hbo
12–18	het vwo	6 years; prepares for university
16+	het mbo, het hbo, de universiteit	vocational school, university of applied sciences, university

Compulsory educationLocked

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Choosing a school and parent involvementLocked

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Talking to the schoolLocked

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Exam tipLocked

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Holidays only during school holidaysLocked

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Words you need

de basisschoolprimary school
de middelbare schoolsecondary school
de leerplichtcompulsory education
de leerkrachtteacher
het schooladviesschool recommendation
het rapportschool report
de ouderavondparents' evening
de schoolvakantieschool holiday

Example questions

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Question 1

Vanaf welke leeftijd moet een kind in Nederland naar school?

From what age does a child in the Netherlands have to go to school?

Compulsory education (leerplicht) starts at 5. Most children already start school at 4.

Test yourself

1 / 7

0 of 7 answered · 0 correctYour answers are kept on this device.

Question 1

Vanaf welke leeftijd moet een kind in Nederland naar school?

Choose an option

My answers

2Uw dochter is 14 jaar. Moet zij naar school?Locked
3U wilt in mei twee weken met uw kinderen naar Turkije. Het is geen schoolvakantie. Wat is waar?Locked
4Wie controleert of kinderen naar school gaan?Locked

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