Month: January 2018

What are the options for my child’s secondary and higher education options in Dutch schools and universities?

Posted on by Katerina Triantafillou

During the final year of primary school, Dutch children take a mandatory test. The aim of this test is to assess the extent to which a child has progressed in his or her proficiency of the Dutch language and in mathematics. The results of the test, together with the teacher’s assessment over the preceding years, will determine which type of secondary education would be most appropriate for the pupil. The secondary and higher education options are:

  • VMBO: practical secondary education
  • HAVO: senior general secondary education (entrance to HBO – university of applied science)
  • VWO: university preparatory education (entrance to hbo – university of applied science or wo – research university)

VMBO (preparatory secondary vocational education)

The VMBO (voorbereidend middelbaar beroepsonderwijs) prepares its students for a more vocationally based secondary education at a MBO (middelbaar beroepsonderwijs) senior school or, in some cases, a more general secondary education at a HAVO (hoger algemeen voortgezet onderwijs) senior school. A pupil will spend four years in VMBO education and whilst in their second year choose their preferred vocational direction. At the MBO they will be taught subjects that will prepare them for various occupations ranging from shop manager to mechanic or nursing assistant.
Pupils who successfully complete the theoretical, combined or middle-management vocational programme at the VMBO level can enrol in professional and middle-management training. Holders of a middle-management MBO certificate may go on to study at the HBO level (higher professional education).

HAVO (senior general secondary education)

A HAVO (hoger algemeen voortgezet onderwijs) education takes five years and prepares students for a professional education (hoger beroepsonderwijs – HBO).

VWO (pre-university education)

A VWO (voorbereidend wetenschappelijk onderwijs) education takes six years and prepares students for a research university education . In the first two years, students follow a common curriculum. All students at a VWO school must study three languages (French, German and English),  in addition to Dutch, up to the end of their third year. At the end of the third year, the students choose an academic ‘profile’ package, which includes both compulsory and optional subjects.

Find more information about foreign education systems and international baccalaureate as well as overviews of foreign diplomas in comparison with Dutch diplomas on: www.nuffic.nl.

I am moving to the Netherlands soon. I am considering home schooling for my children. Is this allowed in the Netherlands?

Posted on by Katerina Triantafillou

In the Netherlands, all children aged 5-18 are required to attend school. Hence, ‘home schooling’ is not allowed. There are, however, a few situations in which an exception can be made. If you have objections to the view of life (e.g. religion) of every school in your area, you need to give a declaration to your municipality about this. You can contact your municipality for more information about the content of the declaration.

If your child is physically and/or mentally unable to attend school, you need permission for home schooling from your municipality.

Nederlandse Vereniging voor Thuisonderwijs – NVvTO is the Netherlands home schooling association. It is an organisation of parents (and other adults who function as such) who wish to home school their children whilst in the Netherlands and have done so in the past, or plan to do so in the future. More information regarding this can be found on Thuisonderwijs.nl/english.

Who is the leerplichtambtenaar and why did I get a letter from this person?

Posted on by Katerina Triantafillou

The leerplichtambtenaar is an official in charge of checking that the rules regarding leerplichtwet (compulsory educational law) are followed.

According to Dutch law, schools are responsible for monitoring and controlling all absences of their children from school. They are legally required to inform the leerplichtambtenaar (official in charge) when any child misses more than sixteen hours of school over a period of four weeks. The school may also inform the leerplichtambtenaar if a child has been late twelve times for school.

Once the leerplichtambtenaar has received such information from the school, he/she will contact the parents to determine what action may be taken.

Only in a few specific circumstances can schools grant permission for children to miss school during the school year.
Schools may grant permission for a child to be absent from school for events such as weddings, funerals, religious holidays and moving house. For every other absence, it is compulsory for the parent to ask for permission from the head of school in advance.

School attendance records are regularly inspected by a leerplichtambtenaar, who tends to also check for pupil absentees right at the beginning or end of the school term, as they are regarded as very suspicious periods.

My child has been diagnosed with a learning or behavioural difficulty/physical handicap. Are there any schools here in the Netherlands that cater specifically for children with special needs and how can I find one?

Posted on by Katerina Triantafillou

There are special needs schools throughout the Netherlands. Regional centres of expertise (regionale expertisecentra, REC) have been set up to cater for children with special needs. If you are unsure of what kind of support is needed for your child, a good place to start is your huisarts (GP). They will be able to provide you with an assessment. Please note that a letter from the GP will be helpful to find the appropriate support. The same applies if you have a child with a diagnostic already settled in a certified institution abroad.

Children who are physically healthy but have learning difficulties or exhibit mild behavioural problems will normally begin their schooling in a mainstream primary school. This is in line with the Dutch national education law that children with special needs (kinderen met rugzakje) must be given a place at a school that suits their abilities and potential, even if they need additional support. Meaning that a child with special needs cannot be refused at a regular school unless there is a severe physical disability, chronic illness or serious behavioural problems. The school will have up to six weeks to evaluate if the child can be admitted. Only in the case that the school cannot provide with the appropriate support, you will then be referred to another regular or special school. You can find further information about this topic at the government’s website (in Dutch only): www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/passend-onderwijs/vraag-en-antwoord/hoe-krijgt-mijn-kind-passend-onderwijs

Special schools are funded by the Dutch government in a similar manner to the mainstream schools. The municipality is given responsibility for providing places at these special schools. There are two types of special schools:

  • Speciaal basisonderwijs – SBO (special primary education) schools, which cater for children who require support with their learning or who have mild behavioural needs such as: low IQ, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), delayed learning development, etc
  • Speciaal onderwijs – SO (special education) for specific special needs or children who require intensive supervision. For example because they have a disability, chronic illness or disorder

An organisation called MEE can help you find, among other things, an appropriate school for your child. They specialise in supporting people with learning difficulties or physical handicaps. Their website is Mee.nl (in Dutch only). However we have listed below some of the centres and schools that can provide additional support to children with special needs in case you wish to do your own research:

Dedicated Special Education International School in the Hague (ages 2½-13)

  • Special International Primary Education: Lighthouse Special Education (ages 5-13). Find more information at Lighthousese.nl
  • Inclusive Pre-school (part of Lighthouse Special Education): Three Little Ships International Pre-school (ages 2½-5). Visit Threelittleships.nlhttp://Threelittleships.nl

International schools with special education department

Amsterdam area

Rotterdam

Support groups and expert centres

  • AAOF Autism Association for Overseas Families offers support and advise in English on the facebook page Autism Netherlands – AAOF
  • ADHD Parent support group for international parents on Adhd.eseng.nl

You can find further information about this topic on this article

How can I find a children’s therapist/psychologist or a special educator?

Posted on by Katerina Triantafillou

There is a Dutch website with the list of addresses detailing where you can get additional help for your children. The kindertherapeuten (child therapists) are available all over the Netherlands and you can locate them on the interactive map here (in Dutch only).

ACCESS also has a Counselling Service Network (CSN) which consists of licensed English-speaking professionals with practices all over the Netherlands. Counsellors are men and women who are psychologists, mental health counsellors and social workers from a variety of different cultural backgrounds. All counsellors have a minimum of a Master’s level degree with at least two years supervised work experience. Please visit the ACCESS website for more information.

What kind of after school/leisure activities are available in English in the Netherlands?

Posted on by Katerina Triantafillou

Having interests outside of school is an important part of Dutch society. There are many kinds of after school and leisure activities for children, such as arts, music, libraries/reading, many different sports, swimming, horse riding, parks and playgrounds, playgroups, scouting, and activities in community centres. However, the availability of these activities for non-Dutch speaking residents will very much depend upon where you are living in the Netherlands. Typically the major cities, with a high population of expats, will have clubs and societies that work in English as well as Dutch. For specific activities in your area, please contact the ACCESS helpdesk. It is worth it to note that some international schools have after school programs.

I gained my diploma in another country. How can I evaluate and/or have it recognised in the Netherlands?

Posted on by Katerina Triantafillou

In the Netherlands, two centres of expertise work together on evaluating foreign diplomas:

  • Nuffic: the Dutch organisation for internationalisation in education
  • SBB (samenwerkingsorganisatie beroepsonderwijs bedrijfsleven): which is the cooperation organisation for vocational education, training and the labour market

To know the worth of your diploma in the Dutch system, you can visit the Internationale diplomawaardering – IDW (international credential evaluation) website at www.idw.nl/en/ below a sum-up of the different possible situations:

You have a foreign diploma and you want to study in the Netherlands

You should first contact the institution where you plan to study. They will arrange for your diploma to be evaluated. Ask the institution if there are any costs related to the evaluation. If diplomas are evaluated at the request of one of the regularly- subsidised educational institutions, there is normally no charge. However, if the request comes from a private organisation or individual, a fee is charged.

Visit the Nuffic website www.nuffic.nl/en/diploma-recognition. This organisation can guide you how to evaluate any diploma from any country. It also helps you to find out if you are eligible to study in the Netherlands.

You have a foreign diploma and you want to work in the Netherlands

  • If you are unemployed and are looking for a job in the Netherlands, you should go to the Public Employment Service (UWV Werkbedrijf). Find information on their website (in Dutch with some English pages). If you have a benefit from the Dutch government, UWV Werkbedrijf will request a diploma evaluation on your behalf and tell you which documents you need to supply. They will pay the fees for the evaluation.
  • If you have a job in a non-regulated profession and are looking for another, you can apply to the IDW for a diploma evaluation. You will have to pay for the evaluation fee yourself.
  • If you wish to practise in a regulated profession in the Netherlands, you will have to get in touch with the official body that grants admission to the profession in question. You can see on www.nuffic.nl/en/diploma-recognition/recognition-of-your-profession-in-the-netherlands if your profession is regulated in the Netherlands and, if so, which organisation you need to contact

You have a foreign diploma and you are interested in its value in the Netherlands. You do not know yet if you want to work or study in the Netherlands.

You can request a diploma evaluation from IDW.

Do I need a residence permit to study in the Netherlands? And how long can I stay?

Posted on by Katerina Triantafillou

If you are not a EU/EEA (European Economic Area) or Swiss citizen, you will need a Provisional Residence Permit (MVV) or/and a residence permit (VVR). Only a recognised educational institution can submit an application on behalf of a student. The educational institution is your recognised sponsor. A residence permit for study purposes is issued for the duration of your study programme plus three months for the administrative completion of the programme, and, if applicable, the preparatory year. The maximum period of the validity of the residence permit is five years. Before the end date of your residence permit, your recognised sponsor may apply for an extension of your stay for the duration of your study programme.

More information about the procedure is available on https://ind.nl/en/study/Pages/study-at-university.aspx.

How does it work once I have a residence permit for studies purpose?

Posted on by Katerina Triantafillou

Dutch Higher Education Institutes (Universities and Universities of Applied Science) have to monitor their students’ study progress. Institutes are asked to check if students have achieved enough study credits in their first year –during the propedeuse (foundation course). The amount of credits varies per study. Check with your university or university of applied science for the amount of credits for your study.

If a student has not achieved enough credits for a good reason in one year, due to sickness or family problems, then a one-time exception can be made. In all other cases, you are not allowed to continue your studies at that institute. The University is also obliged to report the student to the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (Immigratie- en Naturalisatiedienst – IND) service which can withdraw the international student’s residence permit.

As an international student, can I get the studiefinanciering (student finance) from DUO?

Posted on by Katerina Triantafillou

International students can also get studiefinanciering (study finance) from DUO  (eduction executive agency) if they meet the requirements.  You must be between 18 and 30 years , study full-time at secondary vocational education (MBO), university of applied science (HBO) or research university.  A travel grant can already obtained at the age of 16.

 

EU Students (non-Dutch) can apply for ALL types of DUO assistance IF

  • They have lived in NL for 5 consecutive years or more OR
  • A parent or partner has an EU/Suisse passport and has worked in NL for 5 consecutive years OR
  • They, their partner or a parent currently work for 32 hours or more a month in NL – contact DUO in this situation as conditions apply.

EU students who do not meet any of the above criteria CAN NOT apply for most DUO products UNLESS they work alongside their studies, a minimum of 32 hours a month.   They need to contact DUO in this circumstance as the type of work they can do is limited.

Non-EU Students

IF their Resident Permit is Type II (regular, permanent), III  (asylum for a certain period) , IV (asylum, permanent) or V (long-term EU resident).

IF their Resident Permit is Type I  (regular for a certain period)  then it depends on the subgroup. Check  the website of DUO for details.

General information about study finance is available one on the website of DUO.  In addition, there are other ways of financing your study, check the ACCESS FAQ about financial support for students.