Physical education.

Primary education

Physical education is a core goal in primary education. Primary schools must pay attention to this. How lessons are given in primary education is up to the school. The funding for physical education comes from the schools’ own budget and schools choose their financial priorities themselves.

Secondary education

There is no rule about a fixed number of hours for physical education in secondary school. The number of hours given before August 1, 2005 by the school is the starting point. The note ‘How many hours of physical education must be given in secondary education schools?‘ explains the policy the education inspectorate uses for supervision. The policy was made with the ministry of OCW. It is based on the wish of the royal association for physical education to measure and secure the hours for the subject physical education.

School swimming

There is currently no government law about swimming lessons as a required part of physical education. Not all primary schools offer school swimming. The municipality and school decide together. If school swimming is required, the school pays the costs. The school can ask you for a voluntary contribution.

The primary school and the pool are responsible for your child’s safety during school swimming. They must agree on how they will supervise during the lessons.

Extra activities like school swimming are usually paid from voluntary parent contributions. If you want or can’t pay the contribution, the school cannot exclude your child from school swimming if it is a required activity. If school swimming is not required and you did not pay the contribution, your child can be excluded from the swimming lessons. The school must then arrange care for your child during school hours.