# Education and parenting: school system and rules

URL: https://www.inburgeringklaar.nl/learn/knm/onderwijs-en-opvoeding
Course: KNM: Dutch society, theme by theme (https://www.inburgeringklaar.nl/learn/knm)
Level: A2 and B1
Publisher: Inburgeringklaar

> Understand compulsory education, the school system and what is expected of parents.

## Goals
- Explain leerplicht and kwalificatieplicht
- Describe the route from basisschool to vmbo/havo/vwo and mbo/hbo/wo
- Know how schooladvies and kinderopvang work
- Know the parents' role and children's rights, including no physical punishment

## Compulsory education

| Rule | What it means |
|---|---|
| **Leerplicht** | Children must go to school from **5** (in practice from the first school day of the month after their 5th birthday) until the end of the school year in which they turn **16** |
| **Kwalificatieplicht** | After that, young people must keep learning until **18**, unless they already have a *startkwalificatie*: a havo, vwo or mbo level 2 (or higher) diploma |
| Starting age | Almost all children start primary school at **4**, although it is not yet compulsory |
| Holidays | You may only take your child out of school during school holidays. Extra days off need permission from the head teacher, only in special cases |
| Control | The **leerplichtambtenaar** of the gemeente checks absences. Parents can be fined for unauthorised absence |

Public and special (e.g. religious) schools are both funded by the government: this is the **freedom of education** in the Grondwet. Primary and secondary school are in principle free; schools may ask a **vrijwillige ouderbijdrage** (voluntary parental contribution). It is truly voluntary: a child may not be excluded from trips or activities because parents do not pay.

## Primary school (*basisschool*)

- **Groep 1 to groep 8**, roughly from age 4 to 12. Groep 1 and 2 are like kindergarten, with a lot of play.
- In **groep 8**, the school gives a **schooladvies** (advice) for secondary school, based on the child's results and development over the years. Pupils also take a national **doorstroomtoets**. If the test result is higher than the advice, the school must reconsider and may raise the advice; it never lowers it because of the test. The exact dates are set nationally; the school informs parents.
- Children with extra needs can get support, or go to **speciaal onderwijs** (special education).

## Secondary school (*voortgezet onderwijs*)

| Type | Length | Prepares for |
|---|---|---|
| **vmbo** | 4 years | mbo (practical vocational training) |
| **havo** | 5 years | hbo (universities of applied sciences) |
| **vwo** (incl. gymnasium) | 6 years | wo (university) |

Switching levels is possible, and many students take a longer route (e.g. vmbo → mbo → hbo).

## After secondary school

- **mbo** (*middelbaar beroepsonderwijs*): vocational training at levels 1 to 4, often with internships (*stage*).
- **hbo** (*hoger beroepsonderwijs*) at a *hogeschool*: practical higher education, bachelor degrees.
- **wo** (*wetenschappelijk onderwijs*) at a *universiteit*: academic bachelor and master.

Students from 18 may apply for **studiefinanciering** at **DUO**.

## Childcare (*kinderopvang*)

| Type | Age |
|---|---|
| *Dagopvang / kinderdagverblijf* | 0 to 4 |
| *Buitenschoolse opvang (bso)* | 4 to 12, before and after school |
| *Gastouder* | A registered childminder at home |
| *Peuteropvang* | Some mornings a week from about 2, often with extra language support |

Working parents may get **kinderopvangtoeslag** from the Belastingdienst, if the childcare is registered. The government plans to change how childcare is funded in the coming years, so check the current rules.

## Parents and school

Dutch schools expect parents to be **involved**:

- read the school's messages and the app or newsletter;
- go to the **ouderavond** and the *tien-minutengesprek* (short meeting with the teacher about your child);
- talk to the **leerkracht** (teacher, called *juf* or *meester*) first if there is a problem, then the head teacher (*directeur*);
- report your child sick to the school in the morning.

Parents can join the *ouderraad* or *medezeggenschapsraad* (participation council).

## Children's rights and parenting

- Parents must raise their children **without violence**. Hitting, also a "small tap" as punishment, is **forbidden** by law since 2007. So is psychological abuse.
- Children have the right to education, care, safety and their own opinion. Girls and boys get the same chances.
- For questions about raising children: the **CJG** (Centrum voor Jeugd en Gezin) or the youth team of the gemeente. Worries about a child's safety: **Veilig Thuis**.

## Exam logic

Child of school age → must go to school; holiday only in school holidays. Problem at school → talk to the teacher first. No hitting. Advice for secondary school comes from the primary school in groep 8.

## Useful Dutch
- **de leerplicht**: compulsory schooling
- **de kwalificatieplicht**: obligation to learn until 18 or a basic diploma
- **de leerplichtambtenaar**: the school attendance officer
- **de basisschool**: primary school
- **de groep**: school year (class) in primary school
- **het schooladvies**: the school's advice for secondary education
- **de leerkracht / de juf / de meester**: the teacher
- **de ouderavond**: the parents' evening
- **de vrijwillige ouderbijdrage**: voluntary parental contribution
- **de kinderopvang**: childcare
- **opvoeden**: to raise (children)
- **slaan**: to hit

## Worked example: A holiday during school time

*Sanne en Hassan willen met hun dochter (8 jaar) twee weken op vakantie naar familie. De vliegtickets zijn goedkoper buiten de schoolvakantie. Ze willen in oktober gaan, maar dan is het geen vakantie.*

**Wat is waar?**

A. Dat mag, want ouders beslissen zelf.
B. Dat mag, als ze het de juf laten weten.
C. Dat mag niet. Hun dochter is leerplichtig en moet naar school.

**Who?** Parents of a child aged 8. **Which rule?** The child is *leerplichtig* (5 to 16). Holidays are only allowed during the official school holidays. Cheaper tickets are **not** a valid reason. Extra leave is only possible in special cases (for example some family events or certain jobs) and only with permission from the school head, not just the teacher. So **C** is correct. A and B are wrong: parents cannot decide this alone, and telling the teacher is not the same as having permission. The leerplichtambtenaar can fine parents for unauthorised absence.

## Common mistakes
- Thinking school is only compulsory from 6 or until 12; leerplicht runs from 5 to 16, then kwalificatieplicht to 18.
- Taking children on holiday outside the school holidays without permission from the head teacher.
- Believing a light slap as punishment is allowed; all physical punishment is forbidden.
- Thinking the ouderbijdrage is compulsory; it is voluntary.

## Check yourself
1. Yusuf is 16 jaar. Hij heeft zijn vmbo-diploma. Hij wil stoppen met leren en gaan werken. Wat is waar?
   A) Hij moet blijven leren tot 18 jaar of tot hij een startkwalificatie heeft, bijvoorbeeld een mbo 2-diploma.
   B) Hij mag stoppen, want de leerplicht stopt op 16 jaar.
   C) Hij mag stoppen als zijn ouders dat goedvinden.
   Answer: A. After leerplicht ends, kwalificatieplicht applies until 18. A vmbo diploma is not a startkwalificatie; he needs at least an mbo level 2, havo or vwo diploma, or must keep learning until 18.
2. De zoon van Rosa zit in groep 8. Rosa wil weten naar welk type middelbare school hij kan gaan. Wie geeft het schooladvies?
   A) De gemeente
   B) De basisschool
   C) DUO
   Answer: B. In groep 8 the primary school gives the schooladvies for secondary education, based on the child's development and results.
3. Pedro is boos op zijn dochter. Hij wil haar een tik geven als straf. Wat is waar in Nederland?
   A) Dat mag, als het een kleine tik is.
   B) Dat mag, als de moeder het goedvindt.
   C) Dat mag niet. Kinderen slaan is verboden.
   Answer: C. Since 2007 Dutch law says parents must raise children without physical or psychological violence. Even a 'small tap' as punishment is not allowed.