Dutch Education System

International certificate valuation

Primary Education

Secondary Education
In the Netherlands there are around 700 secondary schools, both publicly and privately funded. Secondary education encompasses schools providing pre-university education (VWO), senior general secondary education (HAVO), pre-vocational secondary education (VMBO) and Practical Training (PRO). All four types of secondary education are for children aged twelve and over and all begin with a period of basic secondary education.

Secondary education is in the midst of implementing two major educational innovations. In 1999 all HAVO and VWO schools introduced set subject combinations and the 'study house' construction, which commences in the fourth course year and requires students to acquire skills and knowledge in a very independent capacity. In 1999 pre-vocational education and junior general secondary education schools introduced pre-vocational secondary education (VMBO).

In vocational education, courses of study have been adjusted to better suit the labour market. In light of the ever-growing demand for MBO (upper secondary vocational education) and HBO (university professional education) graduates, an important goal for the coming years is to encourage students to move on to higher secondary school levels and prevent dropouts.

Higher Education