School in Belgium
School in Belgium: enrolling your child as a foreigner
We know that one of the major concerns of families moving to Belgium is not only the legal procedures involved in gaining access to the country, but also their children's education. How is the Belgian education system organized? How can they access it? Are enrolment procedures the same in Wallonia, Flanders and Brussels? Do your children have a future in Belgian education? The answer is yes.
Belgium has a well-structured, high-quality education system, ranked among the best in the world. It strikes a balance between accessibility and quality public education. According to the OECD's (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment) rankings, Belgium regularly ranks above the international average in terms of academic performance. In 2018, Belgium ranked 15th out of 79 countries for reading skills, 17th in mathematics and 19th in science.
The Belgian education system is subdivided into three linguistic communities: the Flemish Community, the French Community (also known as the Wallonia-Brussels Federation) and the German-speaking Community, each with its own characteristics and educational policies. Education in Belgium is distinguished by its student-centered approach, its emphasis on multilingualism and cultural diversity, and the quality of its infrastructure and teaching resources.
With a high graduation rate and some of the lowest drop-out rates in Europe, Belgium offers an educational environment conducive to the growth and development of every child. Don't doubt Belgian know-how: we're discreet, but we're there; it's often said that Belgians prefer the discretion of libraries to the spotlight, as modesty can be considered deeply rooted in Belgian culture.
Enrolling your child in school in Belgium: where and when?
1. Nursery school
Nursery schools in Belgium welcome children from the age of 2 and a half to 6. This period is crucial to children's social and cognitive development. Children can enroll in nursery school at any time of the year. In Belgium, schooling is compulsory from age 5. Specific rules differ from region to region.
In Flanders
In Flanders, there are seven official start dates for nursery school:
- The first day of school after the summer, All Saints', Christmas, Carnival and Easter vacations.
- The first day of school in February.
- The first day of school after Ascension Day.
In the Wallonia-Brussels Federation (French Community)
In Wallonia and Brussels, schools have more freedom when it comes to accepting children. Some schools prefer the first day after a school vacation, while others accept children as soon as they reach the age of 2 and a half. We recommend that you contact the school of your choice to find out about its specific procedures and habits.
It is advisable for children to be potty-trained before starting nursery school, although this is not compulsory. Nursery classes for toddlers may include nursery nurses to help teachers.
2. Elementary school
Elementary school in Belgium caters for children aged 6 to 12, and covers six years of compulsory education. It is at this level of education that children acquire basic skills in reading, writing, mathematics and science.
In Wallonia and Brussels
Enrolments must be made before the last working day of September. After this deadline, and for exceptional reasons, the school management may decide whether or not to accept a student.
In Flanders
Registration for elementary school begins at the end of February. The registration period runs from late February to mid-March. Admitted children can enroll from late April to mid-May, and open enrollment generally begins at the end of May. In some schools, children can register as early as September 1 of the previous school year.
In Brussels, registration for Dutch-speaking elementary school generally takes place between February and March. Priority is given to siblings and staff children from January onwards.
What is the language of instruction in Brussels?
In Brussels, you can choose between Dutch-language and French-language education. If you live outside Brussels, your child must attend a school in the language of your region, unless you request a derogation. Only a declaration that the child's usual language is the other national language can justify a request for a derogation.
In Belgium, there are a number of municipalities known as "communes à facilités". These six communes with facilities - Drogenbos, Kraainem, Linkebeek, Rhode-Saint-Genèse, Wemmel and Wezembeek-Oppem- must offer primary and nursery education in French as soon as a minimum of 16 heads of household request it. Communes with facilities are areas where administrative and educational services are offered in both languages (Dutch and French) due to the presence of a significant linguistic minority. Only pupils whose mother tongue is French and who live in these communes can attend these schools. Dutch-speaking children and those from neighboring communes are not allowed to attend.
3. High school
Secondary school in Belgium caters for young people aged 12 to 18, and is divided into three cycles of two years each. This level offers general, technical, artistic or vocational orientations, depending on students' interests.
In Wallonia and Brussels (French-speaking education)
Registration generally takes place in January and February. It is essential to submit the single registration form (for full details, click here : How to receive and complete the FUI? - Registration Decree (cfwb.be) to the school of your choice before this date. If the school is in high demand, please respect the deadline. Chronological registration generally begins in April.
In Flanders
Registration for secondary schools begins at the end of February. The registration period is generally in March and April.
ForDutch-language education in Brussels and the first year of secondary school, a registration phase is required. Final registration must be carried out in person.
Some schools apply priority enrolment rules, for example :
- Siblings of children already enrolled.
- Staff children.
- Children receiving school supplements or whose mothers do not have a high school diploma.
4. Specialized teaching
Special education in Belgium is designed for pupils with special educational needs or disabilities, and is structured into eight types according to disabilities or learning difficulties. It offers adapted programs and specific pedagogical approaches to foster students' development and autonomy, aiming to include and support each child according to his or her abilities and needs.
For young children, specialized basic education comprises nursery school (2 years 6 months to 7 years) and primary school (6 to 14 years), organized into four degrees of maturity rather than years of study.
Specialized secondary education, for teenagers aged 13 to 21, is divided into four forms, ranging from social adaptation to general, technical, artistic or vocational education.
In Belgium, there is a bridge between special education and mainstream education
One of the most encouraging aspects of special education is the integration of students with special needs into mainstream education. This can be temporary or permanent, partial or total. A support protocol is put in place to ensure successful integration.
Specific teaching methods have been developed to meet the needs of students with aphasia/dysphasia, multiple disabilities, autism and severe physical handicaps. These adapted pedagogies enable us to provide educational care that respects the abilities and needs of each student.
Are all specialized schools the same?
Not all schools organize all types or forms of teaching.
Transportation can be free of charge to the school of your choice closest to your home. It can be by regular line or private circuit, with accompaniment on the school bus.
Students may, in principle, return to mainstream education at any time, by decision of the parents, the person exercising parental authority or the student of full age. This transition is facilitated by a non-binding opinion from the psycho-medico-social center.
It is interesting to note that specialized home schooling is available for pupils who are unable to travel due to the nature or severity of their disability. The request must be made by the parents to the General Inspection Service.
For more information on special education, visit https://www.aviq.be/; http://www.vaph.be; https://selbstbestimmt.be/.
