Published on Eurydice (https://eacea.ec.europa.

eu/national-policies/eurydice)

Key features of the Education System

Educational competence

In Belgium the Communities are responsible for education, with the exception of three competences
which remained a federal matter:

1. the determination of the beginning and the end of compulsory education,

2. the minimum requirements for the issuing of diplomas,
3. the regulation of retirement for employees in the educational system.

Instruction in each community is provided in the language of the community in question.

In Flanders the Ministry of Education and Training is responsible for all stages of education and
training starting from pre-primary education. Childcare is a competence of the Flemish Ministry of
Wellbeing, Public Health and Family.

Home schooling

Education in Belgium is compulsory from 6 until 18. Compulsory education however does not equal
the duty to attend school. Parents may choose home schooling for their children.

Home schooling in Flanders can be organised in two ways

1. Individual home teaching: As a parent you can teach your children yourself or you appoint a
private tutor.
2. Collective home teaching: You send your children to a private school or you organise home
teaching for your children together with a number of other parents.

Home education is financed by the persons who exercise parental authority or who have legal or
factual custody of the underage pupils. The person(s) responsible must submit a declaration of
home education to the unit Supervision of Compulsory Education of the Agency for
Educational Services.

When you choose for home education, you are obliged to let you child participate in the exams
organised by the Examination Board of the Flemish Community at certain points in time (see
also 2.4. Organisation of private education) [1]. In case a child is not registered in time or does not
succeed in the exams of the examination board after a maximum of two attempts (s)he must
be enrolled in a recognised school.
Freedom of education and school choice

In Belgium freedom of education is a constitutional right. Every (legal) person may organise
education and establish schools to that aim. The government has the duty to organise
undenominational education.

The constitution also guarantees a freedom of school choice for the parents. Parents and children
must have access to a school of their choice within reasonable distance of their residence.

School Autonomy

In Flanders school governing boards hold the responsibility over one or more schools. They have a
wide autonomy and can decide freely on their

teaching methods
philosophy of life
curricula
timetables
staff appointments

The government sets conditions only for the recognition of a school and granting financing.

Educational Networks

Education is organised in various networks.

Education and training organised by the government is called official education (officieel onderwijs)
- education and training organised by a private person or organisation is known as free education
(vrij onderwijs) (Government-aided private education).

A small number of schools are not recognised by the government. These private schools do not
receive funding from the government.

In Flanders there are three educational networks:

1. GO! Education is the official education organised by the Flemish Community. The constitution
prescribes a duty of neutrality for GO! Education.
2. Government-aided public education comprises schools run by the municipal or provincial
authorities.
3. Government-aided private education is organised by a private person or organisation. The
network consists primarily of catholic schools. Next to denominational schools it includes
schools not linked to a religion, e.g. alternative schools (on the basis of the ideas of Freinet,
Montessori or Steiner) which apply specific teaching methods.

The school boards of an educational network may join an umbrella organization. This association
represents the school boards in government consultations and offers services to their schools such as
drafting the curricula and timetables.

Pupil guidance centres

Pupils, parents, teachers and school boards may address a pupil guidance centre for guidance,
information or advice. The services of these centres are free and can be primarily situated within the
following four domains:
 1. Learning and studying
2. School career
3. Preventive health care
4. Socio-emotional development

Flemish pupil guidance centres are financed by the government in case the centre belongs to either
GO! Education of the Flemish Community, grant-aided public education or grant-aided private
education. In Flanders there are 72 centres which belong to one of these three educational networks.
A pupil guidance centre may work across networks and support schools which belong to different
educational networks.

Stages of the Education System

In order to guarantee the constitutional right to education, compulsory education has been introduced
for all children residing in Belgium. Education is compulsory from 6 until 18.

A pupil must attend fulltime compulsory education until the age of 15. From 15 onwards students may
engage in part-time schooling and opt for a structured learning path which combines part-time
vocational education in an educational institution with part-time employment.

Elementary education

Elementary education (basisonderwijs) comprises both pre-school education (kleuteronderwijs) and

primary education (lager onderwijs).

Pre-school education is accessible for children from 2,5 to 6. Although it is not obligatory, almost all
children participate in pre-primary education. Pre-school education supports the versatile formation of
children and stimulates their cognitive, motor and affective development.

Primary education is targeted at children from 6 to 12 years old and comprises six subsequent
school years. A child usually starts primary education when it is six years old and thus obliged to
engage in education.

When successfully completing primary education children are granted a certificate.

Secondary education

Secondary education (secundair onderwijs) is organised for youngsters from 12 to 18. Fulltime
secondary education contains three stages and various types of education.

Each stage consists of two grades. In the third stage of vocational secondary education the
successful completion of a third grade is necessary in order to obtain the certificate of secondary
education. In the first stage of secondary education a common curriculum is offered. Pupils make a
choice of study only at the start of the second stage.

From the second stage onwards four different types of education are offered. In Flanders a pupil
chooses a course of study within one of the following types of education:

1. General secondary education (gse), which focuses on broad general education. It does not
prepare pupils for a specific profession, but rather lays a firm foundation for higher education.
2. In technical secondary education (tse) attention goes in particular to general and technical-
theoretical subjects. After tse a youngster may practice a profession or transfer to higher
 education. This type of education also contains practical training.
3. Secondary education in the arts combines a broad general education with an active practice
of art. After secondary education in the arts a youngster may practice a profession or transfer
to higher education.
4. Vocational secondary education (vse) is a practically-oriented type of education in which the
youngster receives general education but where the focus primarily lies on learning a specific
profession.

In Belgium, a certificate of upper secondary education grants unrestricted access to higher education.

In technical secondary education and secondary education in the arts labour market oriented
programmes can be organised after the second grade of the third stage. Since 2009-2010 these
programmes are grouped under the heading of Secondary-after-Secondary (Secundair-na-
secundair, Se-n-Se). Se-n-Se programmes last one to three semesters and are organised by schools of
secondary education. After successfully completing a Se-n-Se programme a pupil is granted a
certificate.

Special needs education

Besides mainstream education there also exits special needs (pre-)primary and secondary education.
Special needs education (buitengewoon onderwijs) is organized for children who need temporary or
permanent specific support because of a physical or mental disability, serious behavioural or
emotional problems or severe learning disabilities.

On 12 March 2014 the Flemish Parliament approved a parliamentary act on measures for pupils with
specific needs (M-decreet) with the aim to make education more inclusive. The act contains
measures which allow pupils with specific educational needs to participate fully, effectively and an
equal terms in regular schools and classrooms.

System of alternating learning and working

When a pupil is 15 or 16 years old (s)he may enter a system of alternating learning and working. All
youngsters in part-time education are obliged to take part in learning and working for at least 28
hours a week. Part-time learning and working is organized in:

a centre for part-time education

a centre for apprenticeships

In a Centre for Part-time Education (Centrum voor Deeltijds Onderwijs [2]) pupils take classes for
15 hours a week. These classes are supplemented with a working experience which matches the
programme. Pupils who are not yet ready to work in the regular economic circuit may fill the
remaining 13 hours with a preparatory pathway or a bridging project with a recognized promoter or
with a personal development pathway in a Centre for Part-time Training (Centrum voor Deeltijdse
Vorming [2]).

In Flanders apprenticeships are organised in a SYNTRA training centre (SYNTRA [3]

opleidingscentrum). SYNTRA is the Flemish Agency for Entrepreneurial Training. In the case of an
apprenticeship pupils enter in a learning agreement which provides

four days of practical training in a small to medium-sized enterprise or with a self-employed

person, and
one day of theoretical training a week in a SYNTRA training centre.
Higher education

Higher education contains programmes which result in the degree of bachelor, master and doctor.

Also higher vocational education is part of the level of higher education.

Higher vocational education

On 1 September 2009 higher vocational education (Hoger Beroepsonderwijs - HBO5) was introduced
in the Flemish educational system. HBO5 programmes are professionally oriented programmes
situated in between secondary education and professionally oriented bachelor programmes.

Bachelor

Bachelor programmes in Flanders may be both professionally oriented and academically oriented.
Professionally oriented bachelor programmes are primarily aimed at practicing a profession and
offer a direct access to the labour market. Academically oriented bachelor programmes focus on a
broad academic education or an education in the arts. They aim at offering access to a master
programme or to the labour market.

Both professionally and academically oriented bachelor programmes comprise at least 180 credits. In
theory a student takes 60 credits a year, but variations are possible.

Master

Master programmes focus on advanced scientific or artistic knowledge or competences which are
needed for the independent practice of science or arts, or for practicing a profession. They are
rounded off by a master thesis.

A master programme comprises at least 180 credits. An institution of higher education can, in
addition to a general master, also offer a research master, which comprises 120 credits.

Lifelong learning

Part-time education in the arts

Part-time education in the arts (Deeltijds Kunstonderwijs - DKO) is additional education and is
targeted at both children, youngsters and adults. Participants may register on a voluntary base and
pay enrolment fees. DKO aims at the artistic formation of children and adults and so contributes to
their development of their personality.

Adult education

Adult education is unrelated to the initial educational career. Course participants may obtain a
recognized diploma, qualification or certificate in adult education. Adults of at least 18 years old and
youngsters which have completed compulsory education may enrol in adult education.

Schematic Structure of the National Education System

/national-
policies/eurydice/file/diagrambenl201819_enDiagram_BEnl_2
018_19

Source: Eurydice 2018/19

Further information
For further information, please consult the introduction articles of Organisation and Governance [4]
and of each educational level: Early Childhood Education [5], Primary Education [6],Secondary
Education and Post-Secondary Non Tertiary Education [7], Higher Education [8] and Adult Education
and Training [9]. For a brief description of other main topics regarding the national education system,
please read the introduction article on Funding education [10], Teachers and education staff [11],
Management and other educational staff [12], Educational support and guidance [13], Quality assurance
[14], and Mobility and internationalization [15]. For information on recently adopted or planned reforms
and policy measures, please consult topic Ongoing Reforms and Policy Developments [16]. While
Eurypedia provides comprehensive and comparable information, furhter information may also be
found on the website of the ministry of Education and Training [17].

Common European reference tools provided by the Eurydice

Network
National Student Fee and Support Systems [18]
Organisation of the Academic Year in Higher Education [19]
Organisation of School Time in Europe [20] (Primary and general secondary education)
Recommended Annual Instruction Time in Full-Time Compulsory Education in Europe
[21](Presented by grades/stages for full time compulsory education as well as by subject and
country.)
Teachers and School Heads Salaries and Allowances in Europe [22] (Salaries and allowances of
teachers and school heads at pre-primary, primary, lower secondary and upper secondary
education levels.)
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Source URL: https://eacea.ec.europa.eu/national-policies/eurydice/content/belgium-flemish-community_en

Links
[1]
https://eacea.ec.europa.eu/fpfis/mwikis/eurydice/index.php/Belgium-Flemish-Community:Organisation_of_Private_Educ
ation
[2] http://data-onderwijs.vlaanderen.be/onderwijsaanbod/default.aspx/so/dbso
[3] http://www.syntra.be/
[4]
https://eacea.ec.europa.eu/fpfis/mwikis/eurydice/index.php/Belgium-Flemish-Community:Organisation_and_Governanc
e
[5]
https://eacea.ec.europa.eu/fpfis/mwikis/eurydice/index.php/Belgium-Flemish-Community:Early_Childhood_Education_a
nd_Care
[6] https://eacea.ec.europa.eu/fpfis/mwikis/eurydice/index.php/Belgium-Flemish-Community:Primary_Education
[7]
https://eacea.ec.europa.eu/fpfis/mwikis/eurydice/index.php/Belgium-Flemish-Community:Secondary_and_Post-Seconda
ry_Non-Tertiary_Education
[8] https://eacea.ec.europa.eu/fpfis/mwikis/eurydice/index.php/Belgium-Flemish-Community:Higher_Education
[9]
https://eacea.ec.europa.eu/fpfis/mwikis/eurydice/index.php/Belgium-Flemish-Community:Adult_Education_and_Training
[10] https://eacea.ec.europa.eu/fpfis/mwikis/eurydice/index.php/Belgium-Flemish-Community:Funding_in_Education
[11]
https://eacea.ec.europa.eu/fpfis/mwikis/eurydice/index.php/Belgium-Flemish-Community:Teachers_and_Education_Sta
ff
[12]
https://eacea.ec.europa.eu/fpfis/mwikis/eurydice/index.php/Belgium-Flemish-Community:Management_and_Other_Edu
cation_Staff
[13]
https://eacea.ec.europa.eu/fpfis/mwikis/eurydice/index.php/Belgium-Flemish-Community:Educational_Support_and_Gui
dance
[14] https://eacea.ec.europa.eu/fpfis/mwikis/eurydice/index.php/Belgium-Flemish-Community:Quality_Assurance
[15]
https://eacea.ec.europa.eu/fpfis/mwikis/eurydice/index.php/Belgium-Flemish-Community:Mobility_and_Internationalisat
ion
[16]
https://eacea.ec.europa.eu/fpfis/mwikis/eurydice/index.php/Belgium-Flemish-Community:Ongoing_Reforms_and_Policy
_Developments
[17] http://onderwijs.vlaanderen.be/
[18]
https://eacea.ec.europa.eu/national-policies/eurydice/content/national-student-fee-and-support-systems-european-hig
her-education-%E2%80%93-201718_en
[19]
https://eacea.ec.europa.eu/national-policies/eurydice/content/organisation-academic-year-europe-%E2%80%93-20181
9_en
[20]
https://eacea.ec.europa.eu/national-policies/eurydice/content/organisation-school-time-europe-primary-and-general-se
condary-education-%E2%80%93-201819_en
[21]
https://eacea.ec.europa.eu/national-policies/eurydice/content/recommended-annual-instruction-time-full-time-compuls
ory-education-europe-%E2%80%93-201718_en
[22]
https://eacea.ec.europa.eu/national-policies/eurydice/content/teachers-and-school-heads-salaries-and-allowances-euro
pe-201617_en