Practical education in the Netherlands is struggling with a massive influx of lateral entry students from VMBO and bridging classes. The Sector Council for Practical Education highlighted this crisis in its annual report, “The State of Practical Education 2026.” According to the findings, the number of VMBO students transferring to year one rose by 29%, while year two saw a 25% increase. This surge has pushed staff to their limits, with 96% of teachers reporting an increase in workload. Consequently, the sector now faces the highest national figures for sick leave and teacher shortages.
Disrupted dynamics and policy flaws
This trend also negatively affects classroom atmosphere and student wellbeing. Students transferring from VMBO often struggle with a sense of failure, while international students are frequently misplaced due to language barriers rather than academic ability. The Sector Council blames these issues on current policy, which prevents primary schools from giving a “practical-only” recommendation. Because parents often choose VMBO first, students frequently “fall back” into practical schools when they cannot keep up.
Financial strain and political demands
As a result of these shifts, student numbers exceeded 30,000 for the first time in 2025. This creates a severe financial risk because practical education is the only secondary school type with a strict budget cap. With a capacity limit of 32,000 students fast approaching, the council is calling for the immediate abolition of this funding ceiling. Chair Nicole Teeuwen insists that politicians must act now to ensure practical education is treated as a central pillar of the school system rather than a last resort.
@ anp | NEWS BRAINPORT
