St. Martin's Courier #12

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Always wanted to know how the Dutch school system works? Then you’re at the right page! I will explain how the Dutch school system works, how you choose your secondary school and my experience with choosing a school.

After that, he/she can continue to get a HBO Bachelor’s degree. That contains not only theoretical, but also practical activities. If he/she completes the HBO Bachelors course, he/she can continue studying for a Master’s degree. The duration of the HBO Bachelors study program is 4 years, and the duration for the HBO Masters study program is 1-2 years. If he/she completes the HBO Bachelors course, then he/she will also have the option to study for a WO Bachelor’s degree. Last but not least is VWO.

School The school system in the Netherlands is actually quite easy to understand. If we look to the education system, we see that the Netherlands has a pretty good ranking in the list of best education systems in the world the past years. In the Netherlands, it is mandatory to attend school from the age of 4-5, until the age of 16.

VWO is a 6 year long education with theoretical knowledge. VWO is the highest level of secondary education. VWO prepares students for the university. After VWO, a pupil can go to the university and study for a WO Bachelor’s degree. He/she will get theoretical knowledge and the duration is 3 years.

The school system of the Netherlands As I said, children from the age of 4-5 are obligated to go to school. They will go to the primary school for 8 years. After that, he/she can continue to one of the 3 different types of secondary education, depending on the pupils level. The 3 different types are: VMBO, HAVO and VWO, with VMBO being vocational and VWO being academic. VMBO takes 4 years and they will mostly learn practical things, but there is another type of VMBO called VMBO-TL (At Sintermeerten we use the word MAVO) . MAVOL is the theoretical form of VMBO. After that, he/she can go to MBO. The duration of MBO is between 0,5 and 4 years. MBO prepares students for work, or a work-related study program. Let’s go to HAVO. HAVO is a 5 year long education with theoretical knowledge that prepares pupils for studying in higher professional education.

After that, a student can continue studying for a WO Master’s degree and do a PhD (Doctorate). The duration of the WO master study program is 1-3 years, and the duration of the PhD is 4 years. This is the school system of the Netherlands.

Choosing a school I explained the school system of the Netherlands. I will now explain how to choose a secondary school In the last year of primary school, a pupil needs to choose a secondary school for the next 4, 5 or 6 years, depending on the pupils level. Before choosing a school, you will get an advice letter from your primary school. 1


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