Dutch Schools 101: A Filipino Mom’s Guide to the Education System in the Netherlands
If you’re a Filipino mom raising kids in the Netherlands, one of the biggest adjustments you’ll face is the Dutch school system. Gone are the uniforms, the daily flag ceremonies at 7am, and the strict "Ma’am" or "Sir" greetings we’re used to in the Philippines! Instead, here in the Netherlands you’ll be surprised to find a quite laid-back yet highly independent approach to education — where kids call teachers by their first name like Juf Wendy (or teacher Wendy) or meester Ron (or teacher Ron), they have lots of playtime, and they are encouraged to speak their minds (even if it means questioning the teacher!).
So how does the Dutch school system work, and what should you expect as a Filipino parent? Let me share with you what I've learned from living here in the country for about 15 years now. I am no expert, but I'm certainly credible enough because of experience (if I may say so). Plus of course, I have valid sources (hehe).
1. Schooling is FREE (Mostly!)
Opo. Yes, you read that right! Public schools in the Netherlands are free (except for small voluntary contributions, or course, but they are not expensive!). If you’re coming from the Philippines, where private schools can be expensive, this is a huge relief. But what is for free actually?
✅ What’s free are:
- Public basisschool (primary or elementary school) and voortgezet onderwijs (secondary school or high school)
- Books, learning materials, and basic school supplies
- Extra support for non-Dutch-speaking kids
✅ What’s NOT free are:
- Kinderopvang (daycare) – Before kids start elementary school which is at age 4 here in the Netherlands, daycare can be really expensive. But depending on your household situation, you may qualify for childcare benefits (kinderopvangtoeslag) from the government.
- School trips & extra activities – Schools ask for a small “ouderbijdrage” (parent contribution), which usually costs around €50-€100 per year. This is not a lot, isn't it?!
👉 Mommy Tip: If money is tight, you can apply for financial aid through Stichting Leergeld, a Dutch organization that helps low-income families. You can check out their website here.
2. The Dutch School System is Different from the Philippines
There's a lot of difference between schooling here compared to back home. You will be quite surprised po! For starters, in the Philippines, school starts at 7 AM sharp, the students would usually wear school uniforms, and kids have a lot of homework everyday. In the Netherlands? It's a whole different world:
✅ No strict uniforms – Most kids wear casual clothes (and lots of raincoats!).
✅ School starts later – Usually around 8:30 or 9:00 AM nd ends early too, between 2:30 to 3:30 PM.
✅ Lots of playtime – Kids get multiple breaks and are encouraged to play outside (yes, even in cold weather! And even if there's a drizzle!)
✅ Little to no homework (at least in primary school!) – Dutch schools here focus more on in-class learning. But around group 7 and 8 (grade 5 and 6 in the Philippines), they start having homework here and there (but they're not usually checked!)
Here are the ages & School Stages in the Netherlands:
1️⃣ Basisschool (Primary School) – Ages 4-12 (which is equivalent to our elementary years)
2️⃣ Voortgezet Onderwijs (Secondary School) - Ages 12-18 (which is equivalent to our high school)
3️⃣ MBO / HBO / University – Higher education options - (which is equivalent to our colleges and universities)
3. Dutch Kids Start School at Age 4 (But It’s Super Chill!)
In the Philippines, kindergarten usually starts at 5 years old (although I think some nowadays start even much younger, di po ba?). But here, kindergarten with a structured curriculum already starts the day after they turn 4 years old. The first year is mostly play-based learning and the focus is really more on play
✅ No formal exams or pressure in the first years
✅ Kids learn through play, songs, and social interaction
✅ Teachers focus on independence, not just memorization
👉 Mommy Tip: If your child is a non-Dutch-speaker, don’t worry! Schools provide extra language support po to help them adjust.
4. Choosing the Right School: Public, Private, or International?
Dutch schools come in different types, not just public or private schooling. Choosing the right one depends on your child's needs. Below are the different types of Dutch schools you may encounter when living or moving here with your kids.
1. Public Schools (Basisscholen) – Free & Most Common
✅ Open to everyone, regardless of religion or background
✅ Follows the Dutch curriculum
✅ Great for integrating into Dutch society
Best for: Families planning to stay in the Netherlands long-term
2. Special Schools (Religious or Philosophy-Based)
✅ Catholic, Protestant, Islamic, Montessori, Waldorf (Steiner), etc.
✅ Still government-funded, so mostly free
✅ Follows the same Dutch curriculum but with added religious education
Best for: Parents who want a faith-based education for their kids
3. International Schools – these however are expensive but they are English-Based
✅ English-language curriculum (IB, British, American, etc.)
✅ Great for expat families moving frequently
✅ Tuition fees range from €5,000 to €20,000 per year!
Best for: Families who don’t plan to stay in the Netherlands long-term
👉 Mommy Tip: If you want your child to learn Dutch quickly, a public school is the best choice!
5. Dutch Schools Teach Kids to Be INDEPENDENT
One big culture shock I had here, and I bet for other Filipino parents living here in the Netherlands is that the Dutch schools encourage independence at a very young age!
✅ There is no extra help or "yaya" when you raise your kids. Going to school, they carry their own school bags, they pack their own lunch and they dress themselves.
✅ Kids here could bike to school alone. Usually by age 8 or 9, many kids bike to school without their parents! I had to adjust to this idea in the beginning, but knowing that the bike lanes keep the kids safe, I've also let my kids cycle to school themselves by age 9.
✅ Self-learning is the key to learning for most Dutch kids. Instead of memorization, kids are encouraged to ask questions, explore, and most importantly, figure things out on their own.
👉 Filipino Mom Tip: At first, you might feel guilty letting your child do things 'without you'. Sa Pilipinas, halos hindi natin sila mapabayaang makagat ng lamok! (In the Philippines, we couldn't even allow them to get mosquito bites!). But trust the process po. The Dutch kids do become responsible early because they're given the chance to do things on their own.
What About High School?
At 12 years of age, Dutch kids go to secondary school or high school, but this is also not a "one-size-fits-all" system. Instead, the kids are placed into different education tracks which are based on their skills. So not everyone goes to the same high school after finishing elementary. Here's the distribution of school years after elementary based on the child's skills:
VWO (Voorbereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs) – Pre-university, 6 years
HAVO (Hoger Algemeen Voortgezet Onderwijs) – Pre-college, 5 years
VMBO (Voorbereidend Middelbaar Beroepsonderwijs)** – Vocational, 4 years
👉 Mommy Tip: Unlike in the Philippines, where all students follow the same high school curriculum, here in the Netherlands, the students are placed into ' different levels based on ability' — so there is no pressure for the child to be compared to other classmates!
Obviously, there will be a lot of adjusting to the Dutch education if you're sending your children to school here in the Netherlands. It felt like a separate culture shock for me at that time, too! But after a few years, you will notice the benefits and understand the reasoning behind it. It allows a child to grow up confident, responsible and independent, without extreme pressure from the society. The kids somehow enjoy learning this way which makes it a win-win at home. If you're raising kids here in the Netherlands po, try to embrace the differences while keeping your Filipino values alive. With time, you’ll see that the Dutch school system gives our kids the freedom to grow into independent, well-rounded individuals of this society.
credit: photo by Jack Moreh of Free range stock
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