Netherlands: low number of Ukrainian refugees in Dutch VET

Since the war broke out on 24 February, approximately 60 000 Ukrainians have arrived in the Netherlands. As for all children in the Netherlands, school is compulsory for refugee children between the ages of 5 and 18.

Welcoming Ukrainian learners into primary and secondary education

Most children and adolescents arriving from Ukraine enrol into primary or secondary education. Temporary facilities were organised for them in primary and secondary education on 4 April and will remain open at least until the summer of 2022. Ukrainian children are offered an adapted curriculum, with one third of the time spent on the Dutch language, one third on mental wellbeing and sports, and one third on general subjects, such as mathematics. Classes are held in Ukrainian or English. Whenever possible, Ukrainian teachers from among the refugees are employed by Dutch schools. Schools are eligible for additional funding for these temporary facilities.

According to the Minister for Primary and Secondary education, Dennis Wiersma, existing education facilities for young refugees, such as Dutch language classes in primary education, are also suitable for young Ukrainians. The primary focus is receiving them in these facilities. School managers, school boards and municipalities receive further support in the form of a regularly updated manual (een handreiking), covering subjects such as educational content, hiring new staff, funding, school transport and school housing. A specialist centre of expertise (LOWAN) also provides regular information and is available as a ‘helpdesk’ for educational support for schools hosting newcomers, through tools such as the special app ‘RefugeeHelp’.

Ukrainians in Dutch VET

To date, the number of Ukrainian refugees in Dutch VET and higher education has been relatively low. This is in part because young males (aged 18 or older) are not allowed to leave Ukraine, to help defend their country. Another reason is that at the age of 16 – the regular age for enrolling in VET – Ukrainians have to attend special ‘International transition classes’ (Internationale Schakelklassen) first. They are allowed to attend regular VET classes as soon as they reach a satisfactory level in the Dutch language. The majority of Ukrainian VET candidates is therefore still attending prep classes. According to the most recent figures (September 2021), only a few dozen Ukrainian students are in VET, but there are no newer figures available since the war started.

When in VET, doing internships is not expected to pose problems for Ukrainian students, as they all have this option in the Netherlands, under the condition of the Temporary Protection Directive. The directive entitles Ukrainian refugees to reception, health care, and education in the Netherlands, as well as the possibility to apply for work.

Read More

• Ondersteuning Onderwijs Nieuwkomers [LOWAN – specialist centre of expertise for education institutions on newcomers in primary and secondary education]
• Realiseren van onderwijsplekken voor leerlingen uit Oekraïne [Ministry of Education, Culture and Science – Integrating Ukrainian pupils and students in education]
• Handreiking onderwijs voor kinderen en jongeren uit Oekraïne - Een handreiking voor schoolbesturen en gemeenten [Children and young people from Ukraine – a guide for school administrations and municipalities, 21 April 2022]
• Temporary Protection Directive Ukraine