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You are here: Home Education Pre-school The Belgian school system

05/05/2009The Belgian school system

In Belgium, the state school system can seem like a minefield to newcomers. Here's a guide to help you pick your way through it.

In keeping with the myriad levels of national and local bureaucracy in Belgium, the state school system can seem a minefield to newcomers trying to make a choice for their children.  The first decision is whether to integrate the children into the local system or to take advantage of the many international schools in the country. This naturally depends on whether you are on a short contract or plan to adopt Belgium as your home country.  The international option would allow your children to continue in the same education system once they return to their home country.


Belgian schools

Whilst the state sets the laws regarding education, responsibility for schools lies with the language communities; Dutch in Flanders, French in Wallonia, both in Brussels and in some surrounding communes.  As well as state schools there are subsidised 'free' and independent schools, often run on religious lines, though their curricula and certification are recognised equally within the system. Religion plays a part in state education, too and students can opt for Catholic, Protestant or Jewish studies, or a more general secular approach. The compulsory school age in Belgium is 6-18 years, though there is an opportunity for 16+ pupils to study part-time.  Education is free, though at secondary level, parents may be expected to contribute to the cost of some text books.  All schools are co-educational.

 Children start school at the age of six, though they may be accepted at five if they are deemed ready.  Before this, nurseries are available for babies and children up to two-and-half years.  Priority is given to mothers in full-time work.  Kindergartens then take over until the child reaches school age.  These are often attached to local primary schools.  Children stay at primary school for six years during which time they study the whole range of subjects with an emphasis on languages.  Homework is set from early on and there is a strong tradition of parental participation.

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