Adult education vavo.

Failed the exam

Students 16 years and older who have failed can still get a diploma through vavo education. They only need to take the subjects they failed. The vavo programs are offered by mbo schools or regional training centers.

Age limit for vavo education

In adult education, students can get a vmbo diploma theoretical learning path, havo or vwo diploma. This is for everyone 18 years and older who followed continuous secondary education. Students 16 and 17 years old can finish secondary school via vavo under some conditions. For example, if a student failed and does not want to retake all subjects. Or if a different learning environment with a more adult approach suits the student better.

Rutte arrangement

Under certain conditions, a secondary school can outsource education for 16 and 17 year olds to vavo, called the ‘Rutte arrangement’. This happens in agreement between school, parents, student and vavo. These are often students who find regular school hard. The government wants to stop these students from leaving school without a diploma. Vavo offers them another learning route. They remain registered at their secondary school but follow their training at vavo. The secondary school stays responsible for the student. The vavo institute gives the final exam and diploma. The exams are almost the same as regular secondary education. The diplomas have the same value.

September route or arrangement

The september route through vavo can help students who failed a vmbo-tl, havo or vwo diploma and can still pass by raising their combination grade. The profile paper and social studies are required parts of the combination grade. The school decides which other parts count in the combination grade in the exam rules and the testing and completion program. The combination grade can be raised by, for example, retaking the profile paper. The student does not get extra chances to retake parts of the central exam. With this route through vavo, a student can get their diploma on time (before 1 October) to be admitted to further education without losing a whole school year. You can ask the vavo institutes about the options and costs.