Compulsory Education, Special Leave, or Exemption

Exemption for a few hours per week for 5-year-old children

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 a “ authorisation ” for this. However, you must notify the school principal or the school board.

enrolment 's Exemption at a School

You may apply for an exemption from “ enrolment ” at a school in the following cases:

• Mental and physical health issues in your child.
• None of the schools in the neighbourhood align with your faith or your outlook on life.
• Your child attends school abroad.
• You lead a nomadic lifestyle, for example as a fairground operator or circus employee.

The exemption is valid for 1 school year. In cases of severe physical or psychological health issues, a longer exemption may apply.

Exemption from school attendance

Sometimes your child may be granted a “ authorisation ” to stay home from school for one or more days. For example, in the following cases:

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

Exemption for a few hours per week for 5-year-old children

• You notify the school if you keep your child home for a few hours per week.
• If you would like to have your child stay home for more than 5 hours per week, please submit a request at authorisation to the school principal.

enrolment 's Exemption at a School

• You notify the municipality's compulsory education officer if you do not register your child at a school.
• Do this before your child turns 5 years old. If you do this later, you must do so before July 1st each year.

Exemption from school attendance

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

enrolment 's Exemption at a School

• For psychological and physical health issues: a statement from a physician, educationalist, or psychologist.
• If you feel that none of the schools listed at neighbourhood 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 leave from the school principal: supporting documents showing that the leave is necessary. For example, a wedding invitation or a death notice.

• You are not allowed to take your child on vacation outside of the school holidays. Doing so violates the law and is a punishable offense.
• If you cannot get time off from work during the school holidays, you may submit a request for leave outside the school holidays once per school year. You must submit this to the school principal at least 8 weeks in advance.

View the rules and " Requirements " on this topic on the Rijksoverheid.