Little has changed since 2020

The general picture of the physical activity and sports provision in secondary vocational education described in the report has remained largely unchanged since the previous measurement. In some areas, there has even been a decline.

For example, in 2020, sports and physical activity classes were part of the curriculum at 70 percent of vocational education institutions. In 2024, this was 64 percent. At a quarter of the institutions offering physical activity and sports classes, this provision has decreased.

Vocational education institutions experience barriers to offering sports

Almost all vocational education institutions surveyed experience barriers or limitations when offering sports and physical activity activities. These often include:

  • insufficient availability of facilities;
  • an overly full class schedule;
  • insufficient funding.

Vocational education students are less physically active than other young people

On average, vocational education students engage in sports less often than other young people. They are also less often members of a sports club, gym or swimming pool. Only a quarter of vocational education students under the age of 18 meet the physical activity guidelines. Among vocational education students over the age of 18, four in ten do so. Structural sports and physical activity provision in education is therefore particularly important for these students.

Recommendations: an integrated approach, funding and cooperation

In the report, the Mulier Institute provides guidance for policy and research aimed at promoting physical activity and sport in secondary vocational education:

  • Integrated approach: it is crucial that all vocational education institutions develop a clear, integrated vision (or policy) focused on sport and physical activity.
  • Funding and resources: structural funding must be made available for physical activity and sports activities, with the involvement of both the government and other relevant partners in the institutions’ local environment.
  • Cooperation with external parties: strengthen cooperation with local sports clubs, community sports coaches and health agencies. This can lead to a broader and more effective range of physical activity activities.
  • In-depth research into barriers: this can provide insight into the specific barriers that vocational education institutions experience when implementing physical activity and sports programmes.

Questionnaires, existing data and interviews

Seventy-eight respondents from 36 different vocational education institutions completed the questionnaires. There are 57 vocational education institutions in the Netherlands. In addition to the questionnaires, the Mulier Institute used data from TestJeLeefstijl.nl and conducted interviews (case studies). The Mulier Institute will conduct the next measurement in four years (2028).

The authors of the report are Sofie Vreeswijk, Marthe Westenbroek and Anouschka Pieroelie. The report was produced with the support of the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport.