For details of mainstream education, see section 2.1 of the mainstream Netherlands Archive. For information on special educational needs provision, see 2.1.4 below.
For details of mainstream provision, see section 2.1.1 of the mainstream Netherlands Archive. For information on special educational needs provision, see 2.1.4 below.
For details of mainstream provision, see section 2.1.2 of the mainstream Netherlands Archive. For information on special educational needs provision, see 2.1.4 below.
For details of mainstream provision, see section 2.1.3 of the mainstream Netherlands Archive. For information on special educational needs provision, see 2.1.4 below.
Types of provision
Special schools
Special education is provided in separate schools catering for either the primary or secondary age group or both. Special education for pre-school children with developmental difficulties is provided in units attached to special primary schools. Each special school is geared to the particular learning difficulties that children may encounter in the course of their schooling.11
Special education at both primary and secondary levels is divided into schools for:
Mainstream provision
The aim of the "Going to School Together" (WSNS) Project Act, which came into force in 1994,4 was to give primary responsibility for all children, with or without special needs, to ordinary, mainstream primary schools, and consequently to reduce the number of referrals to special schools. Under the terms of the Act, schools are required to establish consortia of special schools and mainstream primary schools, who work together to ensure provision in mainstream schools, as far as possible, and in special schools in instances where there is no other option. The basic premise of a new agreement, "Going to School Together: the Next Phase" is that funds for the education of students with special needs should be allocated to wherever students with special needs are being catered for. Consortia of ordinary and special schools must encompass at least 2,000 students.11
Since the introduction of the new Primary Education Act on 1 August 1998,1 children who might previously have transferred to a school for children with learning difficulties or learning and behavioural difficulties, or to a unit for pre-school children with developmental difficulties have been offered the possibility of more appropriate care in ordinary, mainstream primary schools.11
Size of provision
See section 3.2.5 for detailed information.
Control and funding
There are both publicly- and privately-run special schools. Public schools are run by the municipal authorities. There are no special schools run by the provinces or the state.11 Education of children up to the age of 16 is free; school fees have to be paid for students aged 16 and over. Depending on their taxable income, the parents of 16- and 17-year-old children can receive help in meeting their school fees under the study costs allowance scheme. Students aged 18 and over can obtain a grant to cover the cost of their studies; this is paid to the student and is independent of parental income.12 [Further details regarding the control and funding of publicly and privately run schools can be found in section 2.1.2 of the mainstream Netherlands Archive.]
The basic premise of the new "Going to School Together" (WSNS) agreement ("Going to School Together: the Next Phase") is that funds for students with special needs should be allocated to wherever students with special needs are being catered for, that is to say, as far as possible in ordinary, mainstream schools and, where there is no other option, in special schools. It has consequently been agreed that part of the budget of special primary schools should be transferred to ordinary primary schools.11
In addition, the Personal Budget (Special Needs) Bill.3 is due to come into force on 1 August 2002. As a result of this Bill, parents of children with disabilities have the option of choosing between an ordinary and a special school for their child. Children who require special facilities because of their disability are awarded a personal budget, which parents may spend at either a special or mainstream school. This personal budget is intended to pay for staffing and equipment costs and any adaptations that may be necessary to meet a child's needs. An individual education plan must be drawn up each year for every child with a personal budget. This plan must be approved by the child's parents before the school receives any funds.11