Brussels

Education System in Brussels

• • In Belgium, particularly Brussels, you have a large selection of both public and international schools. Education in the public sector is free though some costs can be associated with books, school trips and additional expenditures. The Belgian education system is largely controlled and financed by one of three systems, Wallonian, Flemish or German, and depending on the system, the language of choice will be from one of the three official ones (Flemish, French or German). Education is compulsory from 6-18 yrs of age. The Belgian education system consistently scores very highly relative to other developed countries. Though with the different ownership systems below, there are few differences in the system apart from the main language used in the schools, with each following similar educations systems. The admissions process is handled directly with the school of your choice. This is done in the summer before the beginning of the school year, where the different systems announce the dates when parents can register their children at a school (see the websites below to find out registration dates). To register, parents must go to the school in person and this can result in some large queues at some of the more popular schools.The public schools are organized as follows:
    1. State-subsidized.
    2. Community-owned.
    3. Free schools generally with Roman Catholic affiliation, these being the majority.

    International schools are much more expensive and do not necessarily follow the Belgian education curriculum, often following the British or American systems. There are several Montessori schools in Brussels and also the European schools for children whose parents work for the European institutes. For more details on the private schools please go to the “International schools” section.

    Pre-Primary Schooling

    Free pre-primary schooling is provided to all children in public schools from 2.5 years of age. This schooling provides a pre-schooling cognitive development for children and these schools are usually attached to a primary school. Though not compulsory, there is a 90% attendance of all kids between 2.5-6 years of age.

    Primary Schooling

    Primary school consists of 6 years, and is generally the same at all schools in the country. Age determines children’s entrance into the schools and it is mandatory all children attend primary school. The education is traditional with focus on writing, languages, mathematics and various basic sciences and religion. Primary schooling is from 6-12 yrs of age.

    Secondary Education

    Secondary education in Belgium is generally for 6 years, though it is different to many systems around the world in that students have a wider range of studies they can choose from;

    General Secondary Education (French: Enseignement Secondaire général, Dutch: Algemeen Secundair Onderwijs; ASO) – Broad education in preparation for university entrance lasting 6 years. You receive a degree that is basically not suitable for a career but that enables you to begin university. This is the same as many other country systems, with choices possible at different cycles for specialization in languages or sciences. This is chosen by around 40% of all secondary students.

    Technical Secondary Education (French: Enseignement Secondaire technique, Dutch: Technisch Secundair Onderwijs; TSO) – Chosen by around 30% of students, this focuses on a more practical and technical approach to the arts and sciences, preparing students to directly enter the job market. Again, a 6-year course, the level of education is not of as quite a high standard as the General Secondary Education, but more targeted at having the students enter the workforce.

    Vocational Secondary Education (French: Enseignement Secondaire professionnel, Dutch: Beroepssecundair Onderwijs) – Practical and job-specific, this alternative allows students to pick a trade and receive direct training in preparation for that immediately after completing school. Typical jobs include electricians, auto mechanics, carpentry. This alternative is the only one of the 4 that does not qualify students for university unless the student does an optional 7^th year at which they can receive their TSO (above) which will allow them to go to university.

    Art Secondary Education (French: Enseignement Secondaire artistique, Dutch: Kunstsecundair onderwijs) – This path combines a general education with active art participation, including visual art, acting, dance, music etc. This aims to develop the arts in talented students preparing them for a possible future in their chosen field.

    Tertiary Education

    Tertiary Education in Belgium is organized by the French or the Flemish communities. Any of the 3 qualifying diplomas above allow a student to enroll in university. The exceptions are students who wish to enroll in medicine or dentistry who must pass a government entrance exam, art students who may be required to take practical examinations by the university they apply for to show their skills, engineering sciences in the French universities who need an entrance exam and management sciences where the universities may require entrance exams.

    A bachelor’s degree generally takes 3 years to complete while a Master’s will take 4-5 years.

    Useful Resources

    • Flemish Ministry of Education – http://www.ond.vlaanderen.be/english/
    • French Community Education (French) – http://www.enseignement.be/