Exemption 5 under b: guidance for municipalities offers more clarity.

Exemption 5 under b: guidance for municipalities offers more clarity.

Ingrado and the VNG have published a guide for municipalities about the implementation of the ruling. This provides more clarity about what will happen in practice.

What does this mean for parents?

Does your child already have an existing exemption based on article 5 under b of The law? Then you can expect a letter from the municipality. It states that the exemption will not be automatically extended and that the municipality wants to discuss with you participation in education at school. The following principles are important:

• Individual action plan
  Municipalities actively contact parents to make a plan together for returning to school.
• No automatic extension
  Parents receive notice that an extension of the exemption is no longer automatic.
• Transition period of a maximum of one year
  A transition year can be agreed upon to guide the step to school well. This is not a continuation of the old situation, but an active process aimed at enrollment at a school.
• Customization and support
  Municipalities work closely with Partnership Tailored Education to realize a suitable education place and appropriate support.

Consequences for new applications (school year 2026–2027)

A stricter assessment applies for new applications for an exemption in the school year 2026–2027:

• Availability of public education decisive
  When public education is available at a reasonable distance from home, an appeal to article 5 under b of The law is expected no longer to be granted.
• Distance guidelines
  A maximum distance of 6 kilometers applies for primary education and 20 kilometers for secondary education.
• Resumption of criminal enforcement
  The Public Prosecution Service has announced it will resume criminal enforcement based on this tightened legal framework.