The Education System in French-Speaking Belgium
Belgium's education system offers various forms of schooling, particularly in the French-speaking region, where parents can choose from different types of institutions for their children. These include official schools, which are organized by public authorities, free schools, and public schools. Free schools, though privately run, offer religious education and are free of charge. Depending on the child's age and specific needs, Belgium provides seven types of education:
- Regular Basic Education (Nursery and Elementary School)
- Ordinary Secondary Education
- Higher Education
- Social Education
- Special Education
- Art Education (with an abbreviated schedule)
- Distance Education (EAD)
Early Education: Kindergarten and Elementary School
The educational journey in Belgium begins with kindergarten, which lasts for three years and is not compulsory. At the age of 6, children enter elementary school, which spans six years:
- Elementary School 1 (ages 6 - 7)
- Elementary School 2 (ages 7 - 8)
- Primary 3 (ages 8 - 9)
- Elementary School 4 (ages 9 - 10)
- Elementary School 5 (ages 10 - 11)
- Primary School 6 (ages 11 - 12)
In the final year of elementary school, students take the Basic Education Certificate exam, which is required to progress to secondary school.
Secondary Education: Lower and Higher Cycles
At age 12, students transition to secondary school, which is divided into two cycles:
- Lower Cycle:
- First high school (ages 12 - 13)
- Second high school (ages 13 - 14)
- Third high school (ages 14 - 15)
- Higher Cycle:
- Fourth high school (ages 15 - 16)
- Fifth high school (ages 16 - 17)
- Sixth high school (ages 17 - 18)
Belgian secondary education offers diverse options, including general, technical, artistic, and vocational education. Upon completing secondary school, students earn the Certificat d'Enseignement Secondaire Supérieur, which is equivalent to the French baccalauréat.
The French-speaking region of Belgium thus provides a comprehensive and flexible education system that accommodates different learning paths and needs, with ample opportunities for students to tailor their education to their future goals.
