Options for a gap year.

Options for a gap year.

If your child (still) does not know what they want to do after secondary school, a gap year is an option. But what are the rules and where can you find information?

Students choose a gap year as a break from study and take a year off between secondary education and further education. Taking a gap year is also possible during mbo, hbo, or wo education.

Advantages

Such a gap year has advantages. Research shows that a consciously taken gap year has positive effects on study results and personal development. There is time to reconsider study choices and explore alternatives. This saves your son or daughter the frustration of a wrong choice.

Duty of care

Is the duty of care a barrier to a gap year? That can be, because all children under 16 who live in the Netherlands have a duty of care. A child who turns 16 must finish the school year first. In addition, young people between 16 and 18 must have a starting qualification. This is a diploma from havo, vwo, or mbo (level 2 or higher). Qualification-required youth must follow a full education program. The qualification duty lasts until the day the young person earns a starting qualification or turns 18. The duty of care officer oversees both the duty of care and the qualification duty.

Possibilities

If your child chooses a gap year in the Netherlands, a study choice program, language course, volunteer work, or paid work is an option. It can also be abroad, where a study year at a foreign school can be a serious option.

More information

On Thursday, March 26, a Gap Year Fair will be held in Houten. There are stands and presentations from more than 40 organizations with gap year activities. The organizer is the Gap Year Knowledge Center.

Read more about the duty of care and qualification duty on the Ouders & Onderwijs website. More information about a gap year can also be found. Do you have a question? Then ask your question via vraag@oudersonderwijs.nl or call on school days at 088-6050101