Ryker goes to the VMBO-school and his father is so disappointed of ‘the lack of Ryker’s ambition’. You’ll need a bit of background information about the Dutch school system that is slightly different than other school systems.
Clever clogs that get a cito-score high enough to go to VWO (pre-university education) or HAVO-school (higher general secondary education) will almost inevitably go on to enjoy higher education. The more practical-minded get to go to a VMBO for vocational training and are more likely to start out on a lower rung of the social ladder.
Generally, Dutch schools are well-funded and monitored through a quality assurance system. If they aren’t doing well there is a government body that will come in and assist them. All the same, issues like bad attendance and lack of motivation and discipline give some VMBO-schools a bad reputation. They are generally seen as less inspiring environments than a HAVO/VWO-school and attending a VMBO has a stigmatising effect on children that can last throughout life.
Gymnasia, on the other hand, are notorious for attracting children from elitist families, who tend to put greater pressure on their children to score well and go to university.
(Excerpt from The Dutch school system for dummies: a guide from one parent to another)
More about de basisschool and the Dutch way of learning: