A Dictionary of Dutchness

Havo

Havo (hoger algemeen voortgezet onderwijs) literally means ‘higher general continued education’. It takes five years to get a havo diploma which prepares school leavers to go on to an HBO college rather than a university. Around 30% of school pupils are in a havo stream at secondary school. After three years of havo education, pupils specialise in science or the humanities.