Taalschool de Vlieger - Onderwijssystemen in Nederland

Education system in the Netherlands

In the Netherlands, children usually attend primary school from the age of 4. Primary school lasts eight years, from group 1 to group 8. At Dutch primary schools, education is not only about reading, writing and arithmetic, but also about children's broad development. They learn to work independently, think creatively and play and learn well together with others. Education is child-oriented: the teacher looks at what a child can already do, what it needs and adjusts the teaching accordingly.

Groups instead of classes

Primary school consists of eight years of learning, which we call “groups”:

Group 1 and 2 (age 4-6 years): preschool education
Groups 3 to 8 (ages 6-13): years in which children learn reading, writing, arithmetic and other subjects

How do children learn in the Netherlands?

Learning through play (groups 1 and 2)

In kindergarten, children learn mainly by doing playing, discovering and cooperating. They work in corners (such as the construction corner, reading corner, craft table) and learn:

The first steps in language (e.g.: recognising letters, expanding vocabulary)
Numbers and quantities
Social skills: working together, sharing, listening, making your own choices

Fixed subjects from group 3 onwards

From grade 3, children receive structured instruction in subjects such as:

Reading (starting with sounds and letters)
Writing (pen and handwriting)
Maths (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division)
Language (vocabulary, sentence structure, grammar)
World orientation (such as geography, history and nature)
English
Creative subjects: drawing, music, handicrafts
Movement education: gym at least twice a week

Independent learning and cooperation

Dutch schools encourage children to think for themselves, solve problems and work together. Children often work in pairs or small groups. They also learn:

Making your own plans and tasks
Reflecting on their own work (“What went well? What could be better?”)

Much attention is paid to personal development and positive behaviour.

Tests and progress

Schools closely monitor children's development:

Method tests: small keys at the end of each theme
Cito tests: national tests for language, maths and reading comprehension (from group 3)
Portfolios or reports: parents are given insight into their child's progress several times a year

5. Extra help when needed

If a child is struggling in a subject or with language, they will be given extra help. This may include:

Help in small groups
Extra instruction from a remedial teacher
(Temporary) adjustment of teaching level.

6. Contact with parents

Good communication between school and parents is very important in the Netherlands. Thus, parents play an important role at school. There are parent meetings and often a introductory meeting at the beginning of the school year. You will also be involved in:

School activities (trips, parties)
Help in class (e.g. with reading or crafts)

What happens after primary school?

After grade 8, a new adventure begins for children in the Netherlands: secondary school, or as we officially call it: secondary education. Here, children continue learning, at a level that suits their abilities and interests.
There is a suitable route for every child. Based on the primary school's recommendation, children are assigned to one of three levels.

PRACTICE

Practical education is designed for students who learn better by doing. This education is very practical and focuses on learning everyday skills and simple vocational skills. Pupils are taught in small groups and do a lot of practical work, for example in kitchen, engineering or shop skills. The aim of practical education is for young people to be able to participate independently in society.

VMBO

VMBO lasts for four years. This education is practical and focused on doing and practising. Pupils learn basic knowledge and skills for a profession. After VMBO, most young people continue learning at MBO (intermediate vocational education).

HAVO

HAVO takes five years. Here, pupils get more theory than at VMBO, but less than at VWO. HAVO prepares for HBO (higher vocational education, e.g. a university of applied sciences). Pupils are given subjects such as languages, mathematics and physics. After HAVO, they can go to HBO or, if they are willing and able, move on to VWO.

MBO level 1

Many pupils can go to Practical Education after it, pupils can often start work straight away.

Some pupils may progress to an entry-level course at MBO (level 1). This is a practical education that prepares for simple vocational work. Practical education helps pupils do this if they are sufficiently self-reliant.

MBO

Many pupils go on to MBO after VMBO. This is intermediate vocational education. In MBO, young people mainly learn a profession in practice, such as working in healthcare, technology, commerce or hospitality. The course usually lasts two to four years. After MBO, they can go on to work or continue their studies at HBO.

HBO

Students with a HAVO diploma often go on to HBO, higher vocational education. This is a college-level education. Students learn at a higher, more theoretical level how to work in a profession later on, for example as a nurse, teacher, engineer or manager. An HBO programme usually lasts four years.

VWO

VWO takes six years. This is the most theoretical and challenging level. Students are prepared for university. They receive a lot and in-depth theory and often learn at a faster pace. VWO consists of atheneum (without classical languages) and gymnasium (with Latin and/or Greek).

University

With a VWO diploma, young people can go straight to university. There they learn mainly theory and research. University courses usually last three years (bachelor's) and then one to two years (master's). Students are thus prepared for jobs that require a lot of knowledge and research.

Education systems in the Netherlands