ABSTRACT
Primary schools in the Netherlands cater to children from 4 to 12 years of age and are usually arranged into 8-year groups. Children in need of special care can attend special schools.
Secondary Education
Secondary education caters to students between 12 and 18 years of age and is divided into the following categories:
• pre-vocational education (VMBO) and individualized pre-vocational education (IVBO), for students aged 12-16;
• junior general secondary education (MAVO) for students aged 12-16 (the MAVO was abolished in 1999 and integrated into pre-vocational education);
• senior general secondary education (HAVO), for students aged 12-17; and • pre-university education (VWO), for students aged 12-18.
