Primary and secondary education in the Netherlands
Primary and secondary education (onderwijs) in the Netherlands is characterised by a belief in free education. This means that most forms of education are government funded, and different pedagogical philosophies are encouraged.
The system is also defined by division, with the aim of tailoring the education to the needs of the student, whether it’s the type of the school they attend or the specific stream the student enters in high school.
The Dutch education system explained
In the Netherlands, education is compulsory for children from the age of five to 16. However, most children begin their education at age four.
Dutch elementary or primary school has eight grades, known as groepen. These range from Groep 1 (4-year olds) to Groep 8 (12-year olds).
The structure of Dutch secondary education can seem confusing because of different streams and graduation ages in high school.
Dutch high schools are divided into three streams: one to prepare students for vocational training (VMBO), another to prepare students for university (VWO), and a middle stream to prepare students to study at universities of applied sciences (HAVO). Read More…
