In the Netherlands, parents (de ouders) have the first responsibility for their children. The school teaches, but parents are responsible for what their children do.

Ages and compulsory education

Most children start primary school (de basisschool) at age 4 (vier jaar).
School is compulsory (de leerplicht) from age 5 (vijf jaar).
At about 12 (twaalf jaar) children move on to secondary education (het voortgezet onderwijs).
Compulsory schooling lasts until 16. But young people without a basic diploma (startkwalificatie: havo, vwo or mbo level 2) must keep going to school or training until 18. That is why the exam answer is 18 (achttien jaar).
At 18 young people are adults (meerderjarig) and make their own choices: school, work, partner, home.

Two directions in secondary school

After primary school there are two main directions (twee richtingen):

vmbo: more practical, preparing for a job,
havo and vwo: more theoretical, preparing for higher education and university.

School life

Parents choose the school (de ouders kiezen). It can be a public school, a religious school or another kind of school.
Boys and girls are in the same classes; there are no separate classes.
There is usually no school uniform (het uniform).
Children also learn through play (leren door te spelen). A computer is for playing and for learning.
School and parents work together: going to parent-teacher meetings is important.