Education in Flanders

The Flemish Community is competent in the so-called person-related issues, such as education.  The Flemish Minister of Education and Training is responsible for almost every aspect of the education policy, from nursery to university education.  About 40% of the total Flemish budget goes to education.

Education is compulsory for all childeren from six till eighteen residing in Belgium as well as for children of foreign nationality.

The choice for further education must usually be made in Belgium at eighteen, once the student has a secondary education diploma*.  The reform Act of 4 April 2003 changed the tertiary education in Flanders thoroughly.  Three major lines of action can be distinguished:

• introduction of the Bachelor-Master structure
• university association
• accreditation of training programmes