Compulsory education, special leave, or exemption
What is it?
Children aged 5 to 16 are required to attend school. This means that they must complete primary school and then continue their education until they have obtained a basic qualification.
Rivierenland region
The Compulsory Education Act is enforced for the municipality of West Maas en Waal by the Rivierenland Region. If you have any questions about compulsory education, special leave, or exemption from compulsory education, please contact one of the staff members of the Compulsory Education Team. You can do so by telephone at 0344 638 505 or by email at leerplicht@regiorivierenland.nl.
Compulsory education
From the age of 16, students who have not yet obtained a basic qualification are still required to attend school until they reach the age of 18. Your child must obtain one of the following diplomas:
- high school diploma;
- high school diploma;
- Level 2 vocational education diploma.
Young people who do not obtain an MBO-2, HAVO, or VWO starting qualification are early school leavers.
Preventing school dropouts
With the compulsory qualification requirement, the government aims to prevent young people from dropping out of school and ensure that they have a better chance of finding a job later on (by being qualified for the labor market). Young people can also obtain their basic qualification by passing their MBO diploma.
Parents and schools can take all kinds of measures to prevent pupils from leaving school too early. The Ministry of Education, Culture and Science helps to prevent early school leaving. More information is available at Aanvalopschooluitval.nl.
Compulsory education for children aged 12 and above
Children aged 12 and older have special obligations with regard to compulsory education. Parents and children can be personally addressed by the truancy officer if a child skips school or arrives late.
How does it work?
Exemption for a few hours per week for children aged 5
If a full school week is still too tiring for your child at the beginning, you may keep your child at home for 5 hours per week until your child turns 6. You do not need permission for this. However, you must report this to the school principal or the school board.
Exemption from enrollment at a school
You can apply for exemption from enrollment at a school in the following cases:
- Mental and physical complaints in your child.
- No school in the area fits your beliefs or how you view life.
- Your child is attending school abroad.
- You lead a nomadic existence. For example, as a fairground operator or circus employee.
The exemption applies for one school year. In the case of serious physical or psychological complaints, a longer exemption may apply.
Exemption from school attendance
Sometimes your child may be granted permission to miss school for one or more days. For example, in the following cases:
- illness
- suspension
- a religious holiday
- a marriage
- a funeral
What should I do?
Exemption for a few hours per week for children aged 5
- You inform the school that you will be keeping your child at home for a few hours each week.
- If you wish to keep your child at home for more than 5 hours per week, you must request permission from the school principal.
Exemption from enrollment at a school
- You notify the municipal truancy officer that you will not be enrolling your child in school.
- Do this before your child turns 5. If you do this later, you must do it every year before July 1.
Exemption from school attendance
- If your child is ill or there is a religious holiday, please notify the school that your child will not be attending school.
- In other cases, you must request leave from the school principal.
What do I need?
Exemption from enrollment at a school
- For psychological and physical complaints: a statement from a doctor, educator, or psychologist.
- If you feel that no school in the area matches your beliefs or outlook on life: a statement explaining why this is the case.
- If your child attends school abroad: a statement from the principal of the foreign school.
Exemption from school attendance
If you need to request leave from the school principal: supporting documents that show that the leave is necessary. For example, a wedding invitation or a death notice.
Additional information
- You are not allowed to take your child on vacation outside of school holidays. If you do so, you are breaking the law and are liable to prosecution.
- If you are unable to take time off work during the school holidays, you can submit a request once per school year for leave outside of the school holidays. You must submit this request to the school principal at least 8 weeks in advance.
See the rules and conditions on the US government website .