Compulsory Education, Special Leave, or Exemption

Children aged 5 to 16 are subject to compulsory education. This means that, by law, they must attend school. In some cases, you can apply for special leave or an exemption, and your child will not be required to attend school. There are three types of special leave or exemption:

  • Exemption for a few hours a week for 5-year-olds
  • exemption from school enrollment
  • Exemption from school attendance (approved leave)

Within the municipality of Voorschoten, compulsory education duties are carried out by the Regional Office for Compulsory Education (RBL). For more information and/or to contact the truancy officer, please visit RBL - Holland Rijnland. 

How does it work?

Exemption for a few hours per week for 5-year-olds

If a full school week is still too tiring for your child at first, you may keep your child at home for 5 hours a week until your child turns 6. You do not need permission to do this. However, you must notify the school principal or the school board.

Exemption from School Enrollment

You may apply for an exemption from school enrollment in the following cases:

  • Mental and physical symptoms in your child.
  • There isn't a single school in the area that aligns with your faith or your outlook on life.
  • Your child is attending school abroad.
  • You lead a nomadic lifestyle. For example, as a fairground operator or circus worker.

The exemption is valid for one school year. In cases of serious physical or mental health issues, a longer exemption may be granted.

Exemption from School Attendance

In some cases, your child may be granted permission to be absent from school for one or more days. For example, in the following situations:

  • illness
  • suspension
  • a religious holiday
  • a wedding
  • a funeral

What should I do?

Exemption for a few hours per week for 5-year-olds

  • You notify the school that you are keeping your child at home for a few hours a week.
  • If you would like to have your child stay home for more than 5 hours a week, please request permission from the school principal.

Exemption from School Enrollment

  • You must notify the municipal truancy officer that you will not be enrolling your child in school.
  • Do this before your child turns 5. If you do this later, you must do it every year before July 1.

Exemption from School Attendance

  • If your child is sick or there is a religious holiday, please notify the school that your child will not be attending.
  • In other cases, you should request leave from the school principal.

What do I need?

Exemption from School Enrollment

  • For mental or physical health issues: a statement from a doctor, educator, or psychologist.
  • If you feel that none of the schools in your area align with your faith or your outlook on life: a statement explaining why this is the case.
  • If your child attends school abroad: a statement from the principal of the foreign school.

Exemption from School Attendance

If you need to request time off from the school principal: provide supporting documents that show why the time off is necessary. For example, a wedding invitation or an obituary.

Additional Information

  • You are not allowed to take your child on vacation outside of school breaks. If you do so, you are breaking the law and are subject to prosecution.
  • If you are unable to take time off from work during school breaks, you may submit a request for leave outside of school breaks once per school year. You must submit this request to the school principal at least 8 weeks in advance.

View the rules and conditions regarding this on the Dutch government's website at .

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