Secondary education (vo) schools in the Caribbean Netherlands receive their funding on a calendar-year basis.

The funding may consist of:

• basic funding
• fixed added amount
• additional funding

1 total amount

Schools receive a total amount to fund education. This total amount is also referred to as the lump sum. 

This amount consists of:

• basic funding 
• fixed added amount

The total amount is not divided into separate amounts for staff and operation and maintenance. The board decides how to spend this funding. 

Reference count date

To calculate funding, DUO uses the number of pupils who were enrolled and attended the school on 1 October in the previous calendar year. 

Receive automatically or on application

Schools receive this funding automatically:

• basic funding
• fixed added amount
• additional funding to reduce the workload

The board must apply for this funding itself:

• additional funding in special circumstances 

For additional funding in the event of special developments, the Minister decides whether the funding will be automatic or if boards must apply for it. Visit ‘Additional funding’ for more information.

Deciding and issuing funding

DUO determines the initial funding before the funding year begins, unless the Minister decides that a funding subject is to be determined at a different time.

The board receives the final administrative decision after the certified (authenticated) OGT, the validated reference count form and the assurance report have been submitted. The audit results and developments in wages and prices may lead to changes that affect the final decision. This can change the funding amount.  

The board receives an Overview of Financial Decisions (OFB) for both the initial and the final decision. You can view the OFB on the Funding details page. 

Please note: At present, the mbo institution in Bonaire is integrated into the secondary vocational school. DUO determines the basic funding and fixed added amount based on the combined total of pupils and students. As a result, boards currently receive an all-in-one financial decision for both the school and the institution. Should this policy change, DUO will inform you.

Email us at caribisch.nederland@duo.nl if you have any questions.