Who is obliged to go to school?
All children are obliged to go to school for 12 years beginning in the school year when they are 6 years old and finishing at the end of the school year in which they reach 18 years old.

How is compulsory school organised?
Compulsory school is full time until a child is 15 years old. There is a maximum 7 years in elementary school and at least the first 2years of the secondary school full time.

The period of full time compulsory schooling is followed by a period of compulsory part time education in secondary school or in recognized training where the education component is reduced.

Structures of Elementary school

(i) Maternal school: 3 years (this is none compulsory school but provides part of the pedagogical continuum beginning in this phase, see the structure on the site page given below)
The aims of the maternal school are to develop for each child a sense of self worth through creative activities and self-expression. Developing socialisation is important along with developing cognitive, social, affective and physical learning. Identifying the difficulties and special needs or disabilities of children and then finding the necessary special provision for these needs is also a priority.

(ii) Primary school: 6 years (First phase of compulsory education)
The aims of primary school are focussed upon learning reading, comprehension, written production and communication. Understanding mathematic tools as a basis to solve problems is also a priority. Children are guided to reach the general aim of compulsory education through a variety of educative activities.

Under special circumstances a, child can:
Be in the first year of the primary school at 5 years old
Be in the maternal school during the first year of compulsory schooling
Be in the primary school for 8 or (exceptionally) 9 years
Be in the second stage of compulsory school (3, 4, 5, 6th year in the primary school) during 5 years in place of 4 following the complementary year adapted because of the child's learning needs in the same school (Article 12 of the decree of the 24 July 1997)

For an overview of the structures of the elementary education (in French) please go to: http://www.agers.cfwb.be/org/ensoblig/ENSOB8.htm

Secondary Education
6 years of compulsory education.
The aims of the first two years of secondary education are to:
- Help students to discover their own potential and skills
- Continuously observe and evaluate the aptitudes and behaviour of each student
- Provide a broad based curriculum allowing students to develop a wide range of knowledge and all the necessary competences
- Provide opportunities for students to choose the best path of future education opportunity.

This first cycle of schooling is organized in the same way in all the secondary schools in the French community of Belgium. Students complete this cycle in 2 years. It is possible to complete it in 3 years in place of 2 with a complementary year adapted to the learning needs of the student; this must be completed in the same school.

Education with reduced schedule

This form of education is designed for students in compulsory school who do not wish to follow their studies in full time education. The pre-conditions are tat a student must be 15 years old and have followed the second year of the secondary school full time, or be 16 years old.

This education ensures the provision of general education at the same time as social and personal development and employment preparation. For this, a contract is made between an enterprise/business out of the education sector.

This education is delivered in centres of education and training called CEFA that organise the induction and a programme that prioritises social and professional development for students as well as specific employment training.

For an overview of the structures of secondary education (in French) please go to:http://www.agers.cfwb.be/org/ensoblig/ENSOB7.htm