Secondary education; students, exam candidates and graduates

What does the survey entail?

Purpose

The purpose of this survey is to collect data on the number of students, exam candidates and graduates in secondary education (vo), distinguished by type of education, origin, and gender. Each table additionally has its own specifications with detailed data, such as students’ education type, age, origin and generation, region of residence and school region.

Target population

Students, exam candidates and graduates in full-time state-funded secondary education.

Statistical unit

Individuals.

Date/year survey started

The first figures were collected in the 2003/'04 (students) and 2005/'06 school years (exam candidates and graduates).

Frequency

Every year.

Publication strategy

The table is updated once a year. The provisional figures for the new school year are added, while the provisional figures for the previous school year are replaced by definitive figures.

How is the survey conducted?

Survey type

Since the 2003/'04 school year, the data on students in secondary education funded by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science has been based on register information at an individual level (with the exception of data on students in practical training). Since the 2005/’06 school year, data on students in secondary education funded by the Ministry of Economic Affairs has been added to these registers. This is data on students attending prevocational secondary education departments in agricultural training centres (AOCs) and since 2007/’08, in practical education.

Data collection method

The figures are based on the Education Database Register (BRON). This database includes individual information on pupils, students, and examination results in state-funded education. It is managed by the Education Executive Agency (DUO), that collects the data from educational institutions. DUO processes this information into single-number datasets and shares them with Statistics Netherlands (CBS). CBS uses the single-number datasets to determine the number of students and graduates.

The Education Database Register is based on the citizen service number (BSN) of pupils, students, and graduates, which allows CBS to link it with other registers at an individual level of, such as the Municipal Personal Records Database (GBA) and, as of 2014, the Basic Registration of Persons (BRP). The tables therefore include data from the Municipal Personal Records Database and Basic Registration of Persons on the students’ gender, age, origin, and region of residence.

Respondents

Up to 2005/’06: DUO and the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality.
Since 2006/'07: DUO

Scope of sample survey

Not applicable.

Checking and correction methods

DUO checks all the data they receive from their respondents (institutions) for internal consistency and completeness. If necessary, the data is improved in consultation with the respondents. Specialists at CBS also check the data upon receipt. If necessary, the data is improved in consultation with DUO.

Weighting

Not applicable.

Quality of the results

Accuracy

The provisional figures typically differ less than 2 percent from the definitive figures. The definitive figures are accurate.

Sequential comparability

The data on students, exam candidates and graduates in state-funded education is comparable over time.

Quality strategy

See checking and correction methods.