Education for children from Ukraine who cannot speak Dutch yet

When you come to the Netherlands as a child, you have a right to education. Children are even obliged to go to school. This is stated in Dutch law. Every child in the Netherlands between the ages of 5 and 16 must go to school.

Education in the Netherlands is in Dutch. Children who have only just arrived in the Netherlands do not yet speak and understand the Dutch language. Therefore, there is special help in Dutch schools to teach children the Dutch language at school. The help available depends on the age of your child.

• Support for children under 12

If your child is under the age of 12, there are special primary schools or special classes at normal primary schools for children. 

• Support for children aged 12 to 18

If your child is between the ages of 12 and 18, they will attend an international transition class (ISK). This is a special class at a secondary school. In such a class you learn the Dutch language. After about 1 year your child will then go to a regular class at a secondary school.

The ISK looks at your child's learning level and adjusts the support accordingly. When your child starts at the ISK, we will first determine which level fits them best. For this, a conversation is held with the child and parents. This is done to avoid placing the child in a class that is too easy or too difficult.

If you live in a home or reception centre in the municipality and you and your children are covered by the Temporary Protection Directive, the municipality's contact person will help you find a school for your children in the town or municipality where you live.

If you and your children have been in the Netherlands for more than three months, but your children do not have a school yet, ask the municipality or the reception centre if your children can go to school as soon as possible.

If your children are still not receiving an education, report this to a VluchtelingenWerk office or the municipality.