POscholen

PO-scholen, short for Primair Onderwijs-scholen, constitute the primary schools in the Netherlands and other Dutch-speaking areas. They provide eight years of formal education for children from roughly age 4 or 5 to 12 or 13, with compulsory education running from age 5 to 16. The schools educate in eight year levels, known as groep 1 through groep 8.

Organization and governance: PO-scholen are usually administered by school boards and can be categorized as openbare (public) or bijzondere (special) schools, including religiously affiliated schools and those with alternative pedagogical approaches. They are publicly funded and regulated by national and local authorities, with oversight by the Inspectie van het Onderwijs (Education Inspectorate).

Curriculum and framework: They follow national kerndoelen for primary education, covering Dutch language, reading, writing, mathematics, and world orientation, as well as science, geography, history, arts, and physical education. The curriculum aims for a broad, balanced education and emphasizes inclusive education to accommodate pupils with special educational needs, in line with broader reforms of the schooling system.

Assessment and transition: PO-scholen monitor pupil progress through regular assessments and communicate outcomes to parents. In the final year, many pupils participate in a national or standardized final assessment to inform the transition to secondary education, guiding pathways such as VMBO, HAVO, or VWO.