Education system

In Belgium, there are three distinct linguistic communities:

• Dutch-speaking
• French-speaking
• German-speaking

Although there may be differences in some aspects, compulsory education lasts for thirteen years, from the age of 5 to the age of 18. After basic education, which includes pre-Primary ("maternelle") and Primary education, Secondary education is divided into three levels, each of which lasts two years.

The first level is a basic curriculum at the end of which pupils have a choice of four streams: general, vocational, technical and artistic.

Pupils who have completed at least the first two years of Secondary education, and who do not wish to continue their education on a full-time basis until they reach the age of 18, may attend compulsory part-time education. A certificate of Secondary education is awarded to pupils from the three communities who successfully complete their studies.

Furthermore, these schools can be subdivided following the organizing authority, whether they are private or public and whether they receive subsidies or not.

The tuition fee or other costs for these schools are in most cases limited, but getting your child enrolled in the school of your choice might be a hassle and involve some queuing. That procedure differs from the educational network or even school of your choice. Make sure to inform well, sometimes years, beforehand and prepare well to maximize your freedom of choice.

There are four different networks of schools in Belgium operating according to different principles.

• Community education: this is organized by the three language communities (Dutch-speaking, French-speaking and German-speaking) and is the equivalent of state education in other countries. The schools respect the religious, philosophical and ideological beliefs of the parents and children in a neutral system.
• Official subsidized education : the municipal and provincial authorities organize this.
• Free subsidized education : private people or organizations organize this. It consists mainly of religious schools, the majority being Catholic, though there are also Protestant, Jewish, Orthodox and Islamic schools. This category also includes free non-religious schools and schools based on a particular educational method, such as Rudolf Steiner Schools and Freinet Schools.
• Private schools : a small number of schools are not recognized by the government and receive no financial support from the state. One could also include European and international schools in this category. In some cases, private schools allow themselves to be inspected by the Belgian authorities, and issue students with certificates that are equivalent to official Belgian diplomas.

The education system is divided into four levels:

2,5 to 6 years> Nursery school
Education in Belgium begins at the age of 2½ (or 3 years) with three years of nursery school education. Although the first two years are not compulsory, your child must, nevertheless, be enrolled from the third year of nursery school (at the age of 5).  The system is designed to prepare young children for primary education rather than to provide a childminding service.

6 to 12 years > Primary school
Primary school is compulsory and free. It involves a six-year cycle from 6 to 12 years. Children are admitted into primary education on 1 September of the calendar year in which they turn six. The main subjects are reading, writing and elementary mathematics. Starting third year, the study of the country’s second official language (either Dutch or French) is obligatory. Wednesday afternoons are often free.

12 to 18 years > secondary school
Secondary school is also compulsory and free. The choice offered at this level is very wide. It is impossible to list all the possibilities, but the four main options are as follows:

• General secondary education: it is intended for young people planning to continue their education beyond the age of 18, whether at a university or at a non-university higher education institute. It does not prepare directly for a profession.
• Technical secondary education: the orientation here is more practical and enables students to practice a profession at the end of their cycle. However, they can choose to continue studying with links to the university or non-university higher education, as general subjects are sufficiently developed.
• Art studies: this is geared towards the plastic arts, theatre and music. It prepares students for higher education in institutions such as the Conservatoire (music academy).
• Secondary professional education: it is intended for young people who do not wish to continue their education beyond the age of 18 but wishing to take up a particular trade or learn a craft. There is less emphasis on general culture and more focus on practical training in firms.

18 years or more >  higher education
This level of education is not compulsory and is open to young people who have successfully completed the full general or technical secondary education course. Belgian colleges and universities offer students a wide range of options. Following the Bologna Declaration Belgium makes a distinction between a Bachelor’s degree (a general education lasting three years and rated 180 ECTS) and Master’s or MA degree (a specialized course lasting one or two years rated between 60 and 120 ECTS). ECTS is the European Credit Transfer system to express.

More info about the education system in Belgium on Expatica and on the EU education database.