The purpose of this visit was to look at the provision made for pupils with disability and additional support needs in the Netherlands. Issues relating to the inclusion of these children in mainstream schools were also considered. The group consisted of delegates from Austria, Germany, Spain, Scotland, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Sweden and Malta and the participants were administrators, education officers, educational psychologists and head teachers, all of whom have considerable experience in the area of study.

The group travelled to The Hague, Zoetermeer, Rotterdam, Purmerend and Hoorn, visiting a number of special primary and secondary schools together with a school for the hearing impaired and a school for students with severe behavioural problems.

Meetings were held with the Municipal coordinator of the SSKOZO organisation in Zoetermeer and with senior officials of the Education Division, where the financial and juridical measures concerning the inclusion of children with special needs in regular primary education were discussed.

It was of particular interest to the group to sample at first hand the opportunities available to learning-disabled adults in De Zoetelaer restaurant.

The study visit formed part of the Arion Study Visit Programme funded by the European Commission through the Socrates Coordinating Committee – EUPU.