To know the main characteristics of the education system
Description
Education networks :
Although the term "network" is very often used in the school environment, there is no legal definition of this word. However, it can be stated that the notion of network is inseparable from that of organising authorities : indeed, it is possible to state that a network is composed of organising authorities of the same nature.
Thus, schematically, it can be argued that there are two education networks:
- An official network that includes organising authorities that belong to the public authority (Wallonia-Brussels Education: network organised by the Wallonia-Brussels Federation, cities, provinces or municipalities).
- A free network that includes private organising authorities which are set up, for the most part, in the form of a non-profit association (ASBL). This network brings together :
- Free and non-denominational establishments (based on the principles of the secular movement or on particular pedagogical concepts - Decroly, Montessori, Freinet, Steiner, etc.)
- Religious institutions (Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Islamic, Orthodox).
These organising authorities, which may be one or more natural or legal persons, represent important actors in the education system in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation: they are responsible for the day-to-day running of a school (adoption and implementation of the school project, appointment of the management and staff, financial, pedagogical and administrative management, etc.).
Types of teaching :
There are 7 types of education, depending on the age or particular situation of the pupil/student:
- ordinary basic education (nursery and primary),
- ordinary secondary education,
- higher education,
- social promotion education,
- specialised education,
- artistic education at reduced hours,
- distance education (EAD).
Right to schooling / education :
The right to education is a fundamental right enshrined not only in the Belgian Constitution (Article 24), but also in various international texts.
Thus, the Convention on the Rights of the Child of 20 November 1989, ratified by Belgium in 1991, provides in its Article 28 that States Parties recognise the right of the child to education.
One of the principles of this right is free access to education (prohibition of school fees), which is guaranteed by the Constitution for basic and secondary education.
Obligation to go to school / compulsory education :
In Belgium, compulsory education applies to all minors of compulsory school age who are domiciled or resident on Belgian territory, regardless of status.
A minor shall be subject to compulsory education for a period of thirteen years beginning in the school year in which he or she reaches the age of five and ending at the end of the school year in the year in which he or she reaches the age of eighteen.
The period of compulsory education consists of two parts, a full-time and a part-time period.
The period of compulsory full-time education extends to the age of 15 years, including one year in a nursery school, a maximum of seven years of primary education and at least the first two years of full secondary education. In any case, compulsory full-time education ceases when the pupil reaches the age of 16.
The period of compulsory part-time schooling extends until the end of the period of compulsory schooling. Young people who are obliged to attend school on a part-time basis may continue their schooling on a full-time basis or move on to other courses of study:
- secondary alternate education (CEFA) ;
- training recognised by the French Community as meeting the requirements of compulsory education (IFAPME or SFPME).
Compliance with compulsory education is the responsibility of the parents, the person invested with parental authority or the person who has de facto custody of the minor.
In order to meet these requirements, they must :
- ensure that the minor is enrolled in an establishment organised, subsidised or recognised by the French Community or meets the conditions laid down for home schooling (cf. Laws on primary education, coordinated on 20 August 1957, Article 8)
- ensure that the minor regularly and assiduously attends the establishment where he or she is registered.
Breaches of compulsory education are punishable by a fine for each minor in breach.
Free pre-school, primary and secondary education :
Access to education is free. No fees can be charged to pupils enrolled in nursery, primary and secondary schools of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation.
The costs of schooling are partly covered by the grants and subsidies that the public authorities give to schools (except for strictly private schools), while other costs are borne by parents. For this reason, reference is not made to free schooling, but to free access to compulsory education.
No direct or indirect fees can be requested before, at the time of and after a student's enrolment.
This means that a school cannot make enrolment conditional on the payment of a sum of money, either to the school itself or to any other organisation (ASBL, Amicale, Association de fait...).
Consequently, a school may not under any circumstances make any request for payment, whether direct or indirect, optional or compulsory, in the form of money, services or supplies, when enrolling or continuing schooling.
Each school year, each school will receive a set amount per pupil in nursery education (1st and 2nd nursery). With this money, the school will provide the pupils with the school supplies they need (pencils, markers, binders, notebooks, glue, scissors, paint, etc.).
Key points
- Compulsory education exists to protect the right of every minor to receive an education.
- This obligation is incumbent on the child's legal guardians.
- In the event of a breach, the latter will be held legally liable.
For more information
Process type
- Information
Target audience
- Citizen
Topic
- Studies and Training
- Education system
- Pupils and parents
Last revision: 2023-12-13
