Primary Education - Netherlands

Netherlands

Main article Education in the Netherlands

Children in the Netherlands must be at least four years old to enter primary education. Almost all 4-year-olds (99.3%) in the Netherlands indeed attend primary school, although this is not compulsory until children reach the age of 5. Primary school is free of charge. In most schools, children are grouped by age in mixed ability classes, with one teacher for all subjects. Primary school consists of 8 groups (thus 8 years of schooling). During the first two years (both kindergarten), children receive an average of 22 hours of education, during the last 6 years children receive an average of 25 hours per week. Schools are open 5 days a week, but all children have a half day on Wednesdays (ending at noon). At the end of primary school, in group 8, schools advice on secondary school choice. Most schools use a national test to support this advice, for instance the 'Citotoets', a test developed by the Central Institute for Test development.

• group 1: age 4-5 (kindergarten)
• group 2: age 5-6 (kindergarten)
• group 3: age 6-7 (school curriculum starts with writing, reading, etc.)
• group 4: age 7-8
• group 5: age 8-9
• group 6: age 9-10
• group 7: age 10-11
• group 8: age 11-12 (last school year with advice on secondary school choice)

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