Organisation of the education system in the Netherlands 2008/09 NL European Commission EURYBASE THE NETHERLANDS 1. Political, social and economic background and trends ......................................... 11 1.1. Historical overview........................................................................................................................................ 11 1.2. Main executive and legislative bodies................................................................................................... 14 1.3. Religions............................................................................................................................................................ 15 1.4. Languages........................................................................................................................................................ 15 1.5. Population........................................................................................................................................................ 16 1.6. Economy........................................................................................................................................................... 16 1.7. Statistics ............................................................................................................................................................ 17 1.7.1. Demographic statistics........................................................................................................................................17 1.7.2. Working population .............................................................................................................................................18 1.7.3. Financial statistics (Ministry of Education, Culture and Science) ..........................................................18 2. Organisation and administration............................................................................ 19 2.1. Historical overview........................................................................................................................................ 19 2.2. Ongoing debates and policy trends....................................................................................................... 19 2.3. Fundamental principles and basic legislation .................................................................................... 23 2.4. General structure and defining moments in educational guidance........................................... 25 2.5. Compulsory education................................................................................................................................ 26 2.6. General administration................................................................................................................................ 28 2.6.1. General administration at national level .......................................................................................................28 2.6.2. General administration at regional level .......................................................................................................31 2.6.3. General administration at local level ..............................................................................................................31 2.6.4. Educational institutions: administration and management...................................................................31 2.7. Internal and external consultation.......................................................................................................... 35 2.7.1. Internal consultation............................................................................................................................................35 2.7.2. Consultation involving players in society at large......................................................................................37 2.8. Methods of financing education.............................................................................................................. 38 2.8.1. Methods of financing mainstream primary schools and special schools...........................................39 2.8.2. Methods of financing secondary schools......................................................................................................39 2.8.3. Methods of financing adult and vocational education ............................................................................40 2.8.4. Methods of financing higher education........................................................................................................40 1 EURYBASE THE NETHERLANDS 2.9. Statistics ............................................................................................................................................................ 42 2.9.1. Institutions...............................................................................................................................................................42 2.9.2. Pupils and students ..............................................................................................................................................43 2.9.3. Financial statistics: general.................................................................................................................................43 2.9.4. Key financial statistics: student finance (WSF) and study costs allowances (WTOS) ...................... 45 2.9.5. Fees ............................................................................................................................................................................47 3. Pre-primary education ............................................................................................. 48 3.1. Historical overview........................................................................................................................................ 50 3.2. Ongoing debates and policy trends....................................................................................................... 52 3.3. Specific legislative framework .................................................................................................................. 52 3.4. General objectives......................................................................................................................................... 53 3.5. Geographical accessibility.......................................................................................................................... 54 3.6. Admission requirements for childcare................................................................................................... 54 3.7. Financial support for families.................................................................................................................... 54 3.8. Age levels and grouping of children ...................................................................................................... 54 3.9. Organisation of time..................................................................................................................................... 55 3.9.1. Organisation of the year......................................................................................................................................55 3.9.2. Weekly and daily timetable................................................................................................................................55 3.10. Curriculum, types of activity and number of hours........................................................................ 55 3.11. Teaching methods and materials.......................................................................................................... 55 3.12. Evaluation of children................................................................................................................................ 56 3.13. Support facilities.......................................................................................................................................... 56 3.14. Private sector provision ............................................................................................................................ 57 3.15. Organisational variations and alternative structures..................................................................... 57 3.16. Statistics.......................................................................................................................................................... 57 4. Primary education .................................................................................................... 59 4.1. Historical overview........................................................................................................................................ 59 4.2. Ongoing debates and policy trends....................................................................................................... 60 4.3. Specific legislative framework .................................................................................................................. 61 4.4. General objectives......................................................................................................................................... 62 4.5. Geographical accessibility.......................................................................................................................... 64 4.6. Admission requirements and choice of school .................................................................................. 65