Education

Education Requirements in Belgium

Education is compulsory in Belgium for all children, whether of Belgian nationality or not:

• from the first of September of the year in which the child has his/her 6th birthday.
• for a period of 12 years.
• from the age of 16 it is possible to follow part-time education.
• in some cases, children with disabilities receive exemption of compulsory education

Enrolment and entry in a school are possible any time from the age of 2 years and 6 months onwards. In regular nursery education, the child can go to school on first of the 5 the entry dates (on the first school day after each holiday period). In the future the age for enrolment and entry will be raised to 3 years.

Documents required for registration

• Birth certificate of the child OR marriage certificate OR identity card for children under the age of 12 (local authorities).
• In special education: a registration report, made up at CLB ( =Centre for Guidance = Centrum voor Leerlingenbegeleiding, website, www.CLB-net.be )
• Certificate of registration in the aliens record.
• Passport for aliens who were not born in Belgium and are not registered in the aliens record.People “without any documents”: all children have the right to receive education and can be registered.
  

Note: CLB Centres look after the well-being of students, with regard to learning and studying, their educational career, preventative health care, physical and social functioning.They coach teachers to inform students during classes, have regular meetings with the parents, carry out research with regard to individual students,…

They are free of charge, regardless of nationality.

For non-Belgians who do not speak the local language:
OETC : Reception classes are held, providing education in your own language and culture.

For more information see also the website http://www.xpats.com