Barriers to transferring to mbo.

Barriers to transferring to mbo.

Parents are generally satisfied with the quality of education at mbo. Yet, there is room for improvement in many areas. According to parents, the transition from secondary school to mbo is still often too big. Parents also experience that their child faces obstacles finding an internship. There are not enough internship places and too little support once they have found an internship. This comes from the mbo monitor: a study by Ouders & Onderwijs among 355 parents in the Landelijk Ouderpanel.

More than three quarters of parents satisfied with education quality

Parents rate the quality of the program on average with a 6.7. Most parents are satisfied with the quality of education at mbo school (79%). The practical subjects get a better rating than the general subjects. Yet, one in five parents thinks the quality is insufficient. There is too much class cancellation and parents are also critical of the increasing online education.  

More than a quarter of parents say it is hard to find an internship place. There are often too few internship places available and too little support for the free internship places. 

Transition to mbo

One in five parents is unhappy with the transition from secondary school to mbo. Parents say this transition is often too big and that there is a need for guidance and preparation during this transition. The school choice in the area is also insufficient. Parents find it important to consider factors like the size of the school/program when choosing a school.   

Most students are placed in their first choice program. For one in ten, this does not happen due to lack of spots, extra requirements, no possibility for extra support, or not passing the required intake. 

 Information about results  

Most parents say the school informs their child and gives written warnings about study results. Parents also think their child gets enough time to improve these results. Still, one in five parents says the mbo school does not provide information or give written warnings about the study results.  

Paying school costs is difficult

One in six parents says they have trouble paying the school costs or cannot pay at all. Also, one in five parents says they did not know in advance about the costs linked to the program. Most parents say paying the school costs affects their other expenses. 

Still, a quarter of parents do not know where to get financial help. It is not surprising that parents think it should become easier to get cost compensation.  

About the study   

In the mbo monitor, we ask parents what they think of mbo education. The results are included in the Staat van de Ouder 2023. 355 parents with a child in mbo took part. The results give an indication of parents’ experiences and opinions about education. Want to join discussions about key school themes? Sign up for the Landelijk Ouderpanel.  

Questions and contact

Do you have questions about mbo? Our staff is ready to answer your questions for free by phone, WhatsApp and email from 09.30 to 12.30 and 13.00 to 16.00. Or visit our special mbo theme page.