This means the following:

  • Primary schools will reduce the class size; children will attend school 50% of the time.
  • Children in special education and special primary education will return to school full-time.
  • Emergency childcare is available for children whose parents work in critical professions and for pupils who are vulnerable because of their home situation.
  • The final test for pupils in year 8 of primary school will not take place this year. The teacher’s school recommendation will determine the transition to secondary school.

School closures

What is happening at primary education schools now?

The government has decided to physically close schools until 11 May. This means that pupils in primary education will no longer receive lessons at school until and including the May holiday. Schools will provide distance learning until the May holiday.

From 11 May, primary education schools, special education schools and special primary education schools will physically reopen.

Emergency childcare is available at schools and childcare centres for children whose parents work in critical professions, such as healthcare, education, the police, public transport and the fire service. This allows their parents to continue working. Childcare is also available for vulnerable children. This childcare is provided at no additional cost.
In the coming weeks, emergency childcare for children whose parents work in critical professions will be developed further for the period after 11 May. The starting point is that emergency childcare will continue.

So schools will remain closed until and including 10 May. What will happen during these weeks?

Schools will continue to provide distance learning and will also prepare for the new situation from 11 May. Schools will also provide childcare for children whose parents work in critical professions and for vulnerable children. In the coming weeks, emergency childcare for children whose parents work in critical professions will be developed further for the period after 11 May. The starting point is that emergency childcare will continue. From 11 May, primary education schools, special education schools and special primary education schools will physically reopen.

There will be no distance learning during the May holiday.

School openings from 11 May 2020

What will happen at schools from 11 May?

Primary schools and special education schools will reopen their doors on 11 May.

  • Primary schools will reduce the class size; children will attend school 50% of the time.
  • Children in special education and special primary education will return to school full-time.

What will the school week look like?

Schools will work on implementing this decision in the coming period. Differences may arise between schools. Schools will inform parents exactly what this means for their children’s education.

Can everyone who works in education and every pupil go to school?

Anyone who is healthy can go to school. The general measures apply to everyone:

  • Wash your hands with water and soap for 20 seconds, then dry your hands thoroughly
  • Wash your hands before going outside, when you return home, after blowing your nose, before eating, of course, and after going to the toilet.
  • Cough and sneeze into the crook of your elbow
  • Use paper tissues to blow your nose and throw them away afterwards
  • Wash your hands afterwards
  • Do not shake hands

Do pupils and teachers have to maintain a distance of 1.5 metres?

Children in childcare and primary education do not need to maintain a distance of 1.5 metres from one another. Children should maintain a distance of 1.5 metres from adults (teachers and other staff) as much as possible. In its advice, the RIVM explicitly took into account the fact that maintaining distance will be difficult in practice for certain categories of pupils. For example, in practice it is impossible to forbid toddlers from climbing onto their teacher’s lap, and it is also very difficult for some pupils with behavioural problems to maintain distance. A pupil with a wound on their knee needs a plaster and a hug, and pupils in special education require specific care. This is permitted and is also responsible. The RIVM indicates that research shows that young children are underrepresented among patients. If children become ill, the illness is mild. For this reason, the chance that they pass it on to an adult is also small. Nevertheless, where possible, it is good to maintain distance between pupils and teachers. Staff members must maintain a distance of 1.5 metres from one another.

How is pupil transport arranged?

Pupil transport for special education and for pupils who cannot attend regular education in their immediate residential area can take place in the usual way. Pupils do not need to maintain a distance of 1.5 metres from one another, and should maintain this distance from the driver as much as possible. In many cases, however, maintaining distance from the driver will not be possible. The RIVM advises following the same approach as with teachers: not all contact can be prevented. The RIVM indicates that research shows that young children are underrepresented among patients. If children become ill, the illness is mild. For this reason, the chance that they pass it on to an adult is also small. The exact implementation of pupil transport will follow.

How does testing of education staff work?

The same testing protocol as for healthcare will apply to education staff. This means that when staff members have symptoms, they can be tested easily. If the test is negative, they can return to work. If the test is positive, they must stay at home until they have had no symptoms for 24 hours.

I do not feel well; can I still go to school?

Children, parents/carers and education staff must stay at home if they have: a cold, a runny nose, sneezing, a sore throat, a mild cough, a raised temperature (up to 38 degrees Celsius) or a fever. After being free of symptoms for 24 hours, children, parents/carers and education staff may return to school.

Children (and parents) must also stay at home if someone else in the household has a cold and a fever. If everyone has been free of symptoms for 24 hours, your child may return to school.

I am in poor health; can I still go to school?

Adults and children with health problems or who belong to the risk groups according to the RIVM (over 70 years of age or with underlying conditions) should not come to school. In that case, contact the school management.

Which children will have access to emergency childcare from 11 May?

In the coming weeks (until 11 May), emergency childcare for children whose parents work in critical professions will be reviewed again. More information will be provided in due course.

Childcare at school

What are ‘critical professions’?

See the list of critical professions.

How long will the measures remain in effect?

The measures apply from 16 March until and including the May holiday. From 11 May, primary education schools, special education schools and special primary education schools will physically reopen. Also see the other questions on this page.

Which children are eligible for emergency childcare?

The starting point is that parents who work in a critical profession should be able to continue working. If one parent in a family works in a critical profession, the request is that they look after the children themselves if possible. If this is not possible, emergency childcare can be requested. Until 11 May, it is not a strict requirement that both parents work in a critical profession.

Emergency childcare is intended for children aged 0 to approximately 12 (up to the end of primary school), including pupils in special (primary) education. Municipalities, schools and childcare providers can also provide tailored support for children in a vulnerable position. Parents and professionals can inform the childcare provider or school that they consider emergency childcare or other support necessary for this child or these children. The school or childcare organisation may, of course, also take action itself if it sees opportunities to do so. The childcare provider or school coordinates this with the municipality, which is responsible for coordination. In the coming weeks, emergency childcare for children whose parents work in critical professions will be developed further after 11 May. The starting point is that emergency childcare will continue.

Who provides emergency childcare?

Municipalities coordinate emergency childcare in consultation with childcare organisations and schools. They must ensure sufficient provision for children aged 0 to approximately 12 (up to the end of primary school), including pupils in special (primary) education.

Where is emergency childcare provided?

The intention is to organise emergency childcare as much as possible at the child’s own school or childcare location. However, if necessary, children can also be cared for at another school or childcare location. Children of different ages may be cared for in groups. Care and supervision for young children who do not yet attend school must be provided by qualified childcare professionals, and for older children (between 4 and 12 years) by teachers, teaching assistants or childcare professionals. Even if childcare takes place at a childcare location, the child’s own school remains closely involved in these pupils’ distance learning programme. In the coming weeks, emergency childcare for children whose parents work in critical professions will be developed further after 11 May. The starting point is that emergency childcare will continue.

Will emergency childcare remain open during the May holiday?

Municipalities, schools and childcare locations will work together to ensure that sufficient emergency childcare places are also available during the May holiday. This applies to children whose parents work in critical professions and to vulnerable children living in an unsafe home situation.

Year 8 and the final test

Will the final test take place this year?

No. The final test will not be administered to pupils in year 8 this year.

Why will the final test not take place?

Teachers, school leaders and other education staff are currently very busy providing childcare for children whose parents work in critical professions, as well as organising education for children who are staying at home. This requires all of the schools’ energy and is currently a priority. Therefore, Minister Slob of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science has decided that teachers will not administer the final test to pupils in year 8 this year (as a one-off).

How will it now be determined at what level pupils may start secondary school?

This will be based on the primary school’s recommendation. The school recommendation is based on the child’s development over the past several years. Teachers’ recommendations are normally already decisive and will now also determine the level at which a child starts secondary school. Because no final test will be taken, the school recommendation cannot be reconsidered. Pupils have already received the school recommendation in recent weeks. This recommendation will now become the final recommendation for secondary school.

What if it later turns out that pupils are not at the right level?

Because there is no opportunity for reconsideration, the information that primary schools provide to secondary schools is particularly important. Secondary schools will take this recommendation, together with the information in the Educational Report, into account when placing a pupil. Once the pupil is at secondary school, it will now be examined particularly closely whether they are in the right place. The Ministry of Education, Culture and Science is currently working on the further details. The ministry is doing this in cooperation with, among others, the sector councils and Parents & Education. As soon as this has been worked out in more detail, primary and secondary schools will be informed.

How are children prepared for secondary school?

Primary schools have been asked to prepare their pupils, in cooperation with secondary education, for their upcoming transition to secondary school.

Consequences for schools

Will school funding continue as usual?

Yes. School funding will continue as usual.

What does this mean for possible loss of teaching time until 11 May?

This will be dealt with flexibly. In the current situation, schools do not need to register teaching time. However, schools must do everything they can to provide distance learning, minimising the loss of teaching time and maintaining the highest possible quality of education.

Schools do not need to make up any loss of teaching time during holidays or on days off, including in later years. The Inspectorate of Education is adapting its supervision to the current situation. Primary and secondary schools that provide distance learning do not need to report absences in this exceptional situation.

My school is currently closed. Do I have to report an absence in the attendance register if a pupil is absent for more than 16 hours in 4 weeks?

Schools are closed for most pupils. As a result, the situation regarding absence is also different from normal. Therefore, in this exceptional situation, it is not necessary to report an absence. This also applies when distance learning is offered.

What does inspection supervision look like now?

See the information on the website of the Inspectorate of Education.

What will happen with the May holiday?

The teaching time currently missed due to circumstances beyond control does not need to be made up. Schools may therefore not require pupils and teachers to make up missed teaching time during school holidays. Of course, it is possible to offer distance learning or additional support on a voluntary basis, but teachers and pupils are entitled to a holiday.