How does the school system work in French-language schools in Wallonia and Brussels? Which school does my child go to at what age?

What is not allowed, what is required?

• Children can attend nursery school (enseignement maternel) from 2½ (Education Code art. 1.2.1-2). In the first two years, enrolment is possible all year round (art. 1.7.7-2). From the start of the school year in the year the child turns 5, it must regularly attend the 3rd nursery year.
• Primary school (primaire) lasts 6 years; the child starts in the calendar year it turns 6 (art. 1.2.1-3). Secondary school (secondaire) lasts 6 or 7 years: the first 3 years form the lower stage and the following years the upper stage (art. 1.2.1-4).
• Compulsory education runs from the school year starting in the year the child turns 5 to the end of the school year in the year it turns 18 (law of 29.6.1983, art. 1). It is full-time until 15 and never beyond 16; after that, part-time routes such as work-study (alternance) are possible (art. 1.7.1-2).
• Under the common core (tronc commun) reform, everyone follows the same programme from nursery to the 3rd year of secondary (art. 1.2.1-5). The reform moves year by year: the 1st year of secondary in 2026-2027, the 2nd in 2027-2028 and the 3rd in 2028-2029.
• At the end of primary school there is the external CEB test (certificat d'études de base). In 2026-2027, a child who starts secondary without the CEB gets extra support; if it moves up to the 2nd year, it also receives the CEB (decree of 3.5.2019, art. 18/4 and 18/7).
• In the upper stage of secondary there is a 'transition' section preparing for higher education and a 'qualification' section preparing for a job (art. 1.2.1-6). At the end of secondary school students receive the secondary diploma (CESS). Special needs education (enseignement spécialisé) exists for children with specific needs.
• The school year starts at the end of August and ends on the first Friday of July. About 7–8 weeks of lessons alternate with 2 weeks of holiday (art. 1.9.1-1). In 2026-2027, school starts on 24 August 2026 and ends on 2 July 2027.
• In official schools (Community, municipal and provincial schools), parents choose between religion and non-confessional ethics (morale non confessionnelle), or ask for an exemption. With an exemption, a second period of philosophy and citizenship (CPC) is given (art. 1.7.5-1 and 1.7.6-2).

Penalty and indirect consequences

Why does this rule exist?

Compulsory education makes sure every child gains basic knowledge and skills. The common core reform aims to delay splitting children into different tracks at an early age.