KNM meaning: knowledge of Dutch society
KNM stands for Kennis van de Nederlandse Maatschappij: knowledge of Dutch society. It is one of the inburgering exams. One of its eight official themes is Onderwijs en opvoeding (education and upbringing). Questions on this theme ask how schools work, which rules apply to children and parents, and who you go to with a question.
The Dutch school system
The Dutch education system has three stages.
Primary education. Most children start basisschool (primary school) when they turn 4. Basisschool has eight years, called groep 1 to groep 8. In groep 8 the teacher gives a schooladvies (school advice) for the level of secondary school. Children also take a national test, the doorstroomtoets.
Secondary school. At about age 12 children go to the middelbare school (secondary school). There are three main levels:
- VMBO: 4 years, practical, leads to MBO.
- HAVO: 5 years, leads to HBO at a hogeschool (university of applied sciences).
- VWO: 6 years, leads to WO at a university.
After secondary school. MBO trains students for a trade or job. HBO and WO give bachelor's and master's degrees.
For children who need extra support there is speciaal onderwijs (special education). Our guide to VMBO, HAVO and VWO explains the levels in detail.
Compulsory education: leerplicht
Every child who lives in the Netherlands must attend school, whatever their nationality. This is called leerplicht (compulsory education).
- Leerplicht starts on the first day of the month after the child turns 5.
- Full leerplicht lasts until the end of the school year in which the child turns 16.
- After that, the kwalificatieplicht applies. A young person of 16 or 17 without a startkwalificatie must keep learning until they have one or turn 18. A startkwalificatie is a HAVO or VWO diploma, or an MBO diploma at level 2 or higher.
Parents must enrol their child at a school and make sure the child goes. The leerplichtambtenaar (school attendance officer) of the gemeente checks this. A holiday outside the school holidays needs permission from the school. Without it, parents can get a fine. Read more about school attendance rules.
Choosing and enrolling at a school
Parents choose a school for their child. There are two kinds of schools:
- An openbare school (public school) does not teach from a religion or belief.
- A bijzondere school (special school) teaches from a religion, a belief or a view on education, for example a Catholic, Protestant or Islamic school.
The Dutch government pays for both kinds. This vrijheid van onderwijs (freedom of education) is in Article 23 of the Constitution. You usually enrol your child at the school you choose, although some cities use one central system. A popular school can have a waiting list.
Primary and secondary school are free. Many schools ask for a vrijwillige ouderbijdrage (voluntary parents' contribution) for extras such as a school trip. This contribution is voluntary. Since 2021, a school may not exclude a child from an activity because the parents did not pay.
Parents and school
In the Netherlands, school and parents work together. A few things parents are expected to do:
- Report illness. If your child is ill, call or message the school before lessons start.
- Go to meetings. The school invites parents to a short talk about how the child is doing, often called a tien-minutengesprek (ten-minute talk).
- Read school news. Schools send news by app, email or letter.
- Take part, if you want. Parents can join the ouderraad (parents' council) or the medezeggenschapsraad (participation council).
Upbringing: what the law says
Opvoeding (upbringing) is the task of the parents. Dutch law sets one clear limit: parents may not use physical or mental violence against their child, and that includes a smack. This rule has been in the Civil Code since 2007.
How the KNM exam asks about education in the Netherlands
The KNM exam tests you with 40 questions, each with a picture and three options. You pass with at least 28 correct answers. Questions on this theme are short situations in the Dutch language about a parent or a child. Here are three practice-style examples.
Adam wordt op 12 oktober 5 jaar. Vanaf wanneer is hij leerplichtig?
- A. Vanaf 1 november
- B. Vanaf zijn zesde verjaardag
- C. Vanaf groep 3
Adam turns 5 on 12 October. The answer is A: leerplicht starts on the first day of the next month.
Moeten ouders de ouderbijdrage van de school betalen?
- A. Ja, dat moet altijd
- B. Alleen als het kind op schoolreis gaat
- C. Nee, dat hoeft niet
Must parents pay the school's parent contribution? The answer is C: no, it is voluntary.
Noor is ziek. Ze kan vandaag niet naar school. Wat moeten haar ouders doen?
- A. De school laten weten dat Noor ziek is
- B. De leerplichtambtenaar bellen
- C. Niets, de school ziet het zelf
Noor is ill. The answer is A: her parents tell the school.
Then try the KNM practice questions.
