Structure of education and training

This translation is a brief summary of the text in Dutch. The full version is available in Dutch.

Start school from 2.5 years old, compulsory education begins at 5

Parents in Belgium must provide their children with education from the ages of five to 18 through the school system or home education. Nearly all toddlers start nursery school when they turn two and a half. There, they learn essential future skills through play.

The school choice is up to you!

As a parent, you have the freedom to choose which school your child goes to. The school around the corner or one further away? A private school or an official (public) one? Religiously associated, or ideologically neutral? It’s up to you. However, you must consent to the school’s methodology and regulations when you enrol your child.

Official and private schools

Three networks organise and run the Dutchspeaking schools in Brussels:

official (public) schools
- community schools (GO): Flemish Community schools
- subsidised community schools (GOO): municipality schools and Flemish Community Commission schools
private schools
- subsidised private schools (GVO): run by private entities recognised by the Flemish government, e.g. Catholic schools.

How much does school attendance cost?

Primary schools are prohibited from charging for enrolment or class materials. However, they can charge for non-essential materials and activities, e.g. swimming lessons, sports events, or school trips. School invoices are limited to a maximum of EUR 50 a year for nursery school children and EUR 95 for primary school children.
Secondary schools are not allowed to charge for enrolment, but they do charge for schoolbooks, activities, and services such as the school bus.
If you are entitled to a school allowance and/ or annual support for low-income families with school-age children, those costs will automatically be paid through your Groeipakket.

2.5 - 12 years

Elementary education

Elementary education

There are over 130 Dutch-speaking nursery or primary schools in the elementary education system in Brussels.

Special elementary education

Special elementary education

Special elementary education is available for children in need of specific care. There are various types of special elementary education.

Schools for teens

Schools for teens

A school for teens brings together pupils in the third stage of primary school (5th and 6th grade) and the first stage of secondary school (1A and 2A).

Part-time art education

Part-time art education

Part-time art education is free-time education and is better known by the terms music school and art academy. It is available to children, young people and adults.

Bednet

Bednet ensures that children and young people who are temporarily unable to go to school can join the class live via internet from their home. Bednet is free for the family and the school.

Reception class for children with a different mother tongue (OKAN)

Reception class for children with a different mother tongue (OKAN)

Reception class education for newcomers with a different mother tongue is set up for young people of non-Belgian or non-Dutch nationality who have recently arrived in the country and lack an adequate command of Dutch. The reception class enables these pupils to learn Dutch as quickly as possible.

Boarding school

Boarding school

Pupils in nursery, primary and secondary education can go to a boarding school. You pay the cost of your child’s accommodation.

12 - 18 years

Secondary education

Secondary education

Secondary education follows on from elementary education. Most children follow full-time secondary education. Full-time secondary education is divided into three stages and four forms of education.

Special secondary education