Nocturnal queues for school registration

5 January 2004

BRUSSELS – Parents spent Sunday night in sub-zero temperatures outside the gates of a Ghent primary school, in an attempt to secure their children a place for the next school year.

Until now, parents could reserve a place for their children in the school of their choice years in advance. But earliest registration date has now been set for Monday 5 January.

The Freinet system primary school in Ghent was not the only school which saw nocturnal queuing, with a sought-after Brussels infant school witnessing similar scenes.

Flemish Education Minister Marleen Vanderpoorten says the new regulations should give under-privileged and non-European immigrant parents an opportunity to enrol their children in the school of their choice.

Subject: Belgian news