Municipality of Koggenland: exemptions from compulsory school attendance

How do I apply for an exemption from compulsory education?

You apply for an exemption through the municipality. You must submit a new application for each school year, always before 1 July. The exemption is valid for one year.

Exception: You do not have to apply for an exemption every year if an earlier statement shows that your child will never be able to attend a school or educational institution.

1. Exemption from compulsory education due to physical or psychological reasons

We will forward your application for an exemption from compulsory education due to physical or psychological reasons to an independent doctor. This doctor is appointed by the municipal executive. The doctor will ask you to share your specialist's explanation with them.

The exemption then takes effect automatically. This means you do not need to wait for a separate decision before the exemption takes effect.

Complete the online form. You need a DigiD to do this. Do you not have a DigiD? Apply for a DigiD first.

We will contact you within 2 weeks after receiving your form.

Online form: Exemption from compulsory education due to physical or psychological reasons

2. Exemption from compulsory education because your child attends school abroad

If your child attends a primary or secondary school abroad, you must apply for an exemption because your child is receiving education outside the Netherlands. You must include proof of enrolment from the school abroad with your application.

Complete the online form. You need a DigiD to do this. Do you not have a DigiD? Apply for a DigiD first.

We will contact you within 2 weeks after receiving your form.

Online form: Exemption from compulsory education because your child attends school abroad

Don't forget!

You are also required to have the headteacher of the educational institution complete the ‘regular school attendance’ form 2 months after your child starts education abroad.

You can use this online form. A form provided by the school itself is also accepted.

Email the completed and signed form to leerplicht@koggenland.nl.

3. Exemption from compulsory education due to objections based on religious or philosophical beliefs

You can apply for an exemption from compulsory education due to objections based on religious or philosophical beliefs if there is no suitable school within a radius of 6 km for primary education or 20 km for secondary education from your home that matches your religious or philosophical beliefs.

After we receive your completed form and attachments, the school attendance officer will invite you for a meeting.

Please note: You can only apply for this exemption if the child concerned was not enrolled in the Netherlands during the previous year at a school or educational institution of the type to which you object.

You must submit your application no later than one month before your child's fifth birthday. After that, you must submit a new application every year before 1 July.

Complete the online form. You need a DigiD to do this. Do you not have a DigiD? Apply for a DigiD first.

Within 2 weeks after receiving your form, the school attendance officer will invite you for a meeting.

You must include the following documents with your application:

• An overview of schools within the relevant radius.
• Your main objection to the educational philosophy or religious direction of each school.

‘Main objection to the educational philosophy or religious direction of the education’ means an objection that is more important to you than the disadvantage of your child receiving no education at all at an educational institution, as referred to in Article 5(b) of the Compulsory Education Act 1969.