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  Schooling in Belgium

Eduction for children

A wide choice of education and educational systems is available in Belgium. Belgian schools are either French or Dutch (Flemish)-speaking. There are also a number of English-speaking schools following various national programmes or the syllabus of the International Baccalaureate which can be taken in several languages, including English and French (e.g.: St. Johns School, International School of Brussels, Lycée Français, British School).

Other foreign schools cover their own, different, national systems (e.g. German, Japanese, Scandinavian and Dutch-NL)

• Belgian Schooling:

All schools have to follow a minimum programme imposed by the state.

There are two sorts of state-aided schools, official and independent:

Official schools:

State schools:

Are directly financed by the state and adhere strictly to the state curriculum.

Commune schools and provincial schools:

Organized by the respective institutions, they interpret the state curriculum in a more flexible way.

Independant schools:

Mainly Catholic and a few non-confessional. They receive most of their money from the state, but parents may have to pay for certain amenities (schoolbus, writing materials, equipment, swimming etc.), which are provided by the state schools.

In some cases school fees have to be paid, but they are far lower than in private schools.

Private schools:

They charge fees; boarding schools are not common.

Choice of language:

Wallonia: French

Flanders: Dutch

Brussels: French or Dutch

Six Flemish communes around Brussels (Communes à facilité/faciliteitengemeenten):

Children who speak neither French nor Dutch must follow Dutch education.

French speaking children may only attend a French school if registered in the commune.

Dutch speaking children wanting to attend a French school may encounter problems.

A child living in Flanders or in one of the six "Communes à facilité" can go to a French speaking school in Wallonia or Brussels. Children may not change the language of tuition, unlike when living in Brussels.

Crèches, nurseries and day care mothers, organized by:

Communes:

Age: 3 month - 3 years

Opening hours: 7 a.m. - 6 p.m. (except WE and national holidays)

Cost: 2 EUR - 20 EUR/day depending on the income

Private crèches:

Cost: 550 EUR/month all day

225 EUR/month half day

Problem: Long waiting lists, register as soon as you are pregnant

Playgroups:

English speaking:

Age: 1,5 - 3 years, small, rotating groups of about 6 children, free of charge

Age: 2,5 - 4 years, three to five mornings with creative activities, paid

French speaking: La Farandoline

Age: 1 - 3 years, creative playgroups

Nursery schools:

Age: 2,5 - 3 years

Pupils: average of 22/class

School hours: 8.45 - 12.00 and 13.45 - 16.00 (Working parents may leave chidren from 7.30 until 18.00 o'clock for an extra charge

Curriculum:

1 st year: Emphasizes on learning to be sociable.

Free choice activities, directed activities, observation activities, drawing, simple gymnastics. Progress in monitored on a monthly basis

2 nd year: Concepts of time and space are introduced, rythmic activities

3 rd year: Pre-reading and pre-writing activities, number work

Atmosphere: Friendly, cooperative

Maturity test: At the end of nursery school (not compulsary)

Primary schools:

Age: Six (calendar year in which they become six), sometimes five

Start: September

Period: Six year course divided into two year cycles, 26 hours/week

Emphasis: Languages and mathematics

Homework: Daily

Tests/Reports: Regularly

Orientation test: At the end of the sixth year to help them choose the most suitable branch for secondary education

Children have to achieve a minimum percentage at the end of each school year before moving up, otherwise they repeat the year.

Secondary education:

Age: 12 years

Revised system:

1 st part (observation): Broad general curriculum, emphasizing languages, mathematics, science, environmental subjects; religion and physical education.

Optional subjects: latin, technical or art, 2 hours/week

2 nd part (orientation): Wider choice of optional subjects, including economics, social sciences and music. 6 hours/week

3 rd part (specialisation): Optional subjects: ten hours/week

Options:

General studies, Technical qualification, Professional Education (non-academic)

Schools for handicapped:

A lot of special state financed schools are available

• Foreign Schools:

These schools tend to be quite expensive, fees vary from 2.000 EUR for nurseries and kindergarden up to almost 15.000 EUR/child/year.

Language courses for adults

• Communes:

  - Cost: small enrollment fee

  - Classes: evenings or during the day

  - Start: beginning of the academic year

• Other publicly subsidised classes:

  - Ecole Technique Supérieure de l'Etat/Hoger Technische Staatsschool

  - Brussels Chamber of Commerce

  - Institut de Formation de Cadres pour le Développement

  - Cost: Small enrollment fee, morning classes, more intensive courses

• Private schools:

  - More expensive but more flexible, and offer short, intensive courses throughout the year.

  - Individual tuition and small group work possible.