Municipality of Meerssen: exemptions from compulsory school attendance
The municipality may grant an exemption from compulsory education for your child. This means that it does not have to go to school. This is possible, for example, if your child is unable to attend education due to psychological or physical complaints. Or if your child goes to a foreign school.
Is your child nearing the end of the compulsory school age and is he or she having trouble at school? Your child may be able to follow a different program in that year. This is the replacement compulsory education.
The alternative compulsory education program consists of general education and vocational education. It also includes practice time. This is light work.
If your child starts this process, you must register it with an institution where it can follow this adapted education.
The Municipality of Maastricht ensures the implementation and enforcement of compulsory education for 6 municipalities in South Limburg. Also for the municipality of Meerssen. If you have any questions, please contact the Compulsory Education team of the Municipality of Maastricht.
Please note: you can only apply for an exemption from compulsory education if you live in the Netherlands and are registered with a municipality.
The conditions for applying for an exemption from compulsory education include:
- Your child has physical or psychological problems. The municipality needs a statement from a doctor or a psychologist for this.
- Your child is registered at a school abroad. For example in Germany or Belgium if you live in the border region.
- There are objections to the philosophical orientation of schools in your neighbourhood.
- You lead an active life with your child. For example as a fair operator or circus employee.
The conditions for applying for a replacement compulsory education include:
- Your child has difficulty following the lessons at school.
- Your child is in the last year of the compulsory education period (before his or her 16th year).
- Your child is 14 years or older. Is the child not in the last year of compulsory education? Then you must prove that your child is not suitable for full-time education at a school.
How to apply for an exemption from compulsory education and a replacement compulsory education for your child:
- You and the school contact the attendance officer.
- You pass on, among other things:
- how old is your child
- why your child needs an exemption from compulsory education or a replacement compulsory education
- from when the exemption or replacement compulsory education must start
- in the case of replacement compulsory education: a guidance program for your child
You can lodge an objection with the municipality against the decision of the attendance officer. You do this within 6 weeks. Do you subsequently disagree with the decision on the notice of objection? Then file an appeal with the court.
Questions about this topic?
Contact the Municipality of Meerssen