Funding
Funding of early childhood education and care
See below.
Funding of primary education
See below.
Funding of secondary education
See below.
Financial autonomy and control
Fees within public education
Education is free during compulsory education. School fees cannot be requested. School authorities and the ministry take on a portion of the costs for traditional teaching materials.
Financial support for learners' families and/or learners
Early childhood education
There are no financial aids from the public sector for families whose children are attending preschool. Preschool attendance is free of charge. In Belgium there are family allowances for families with children. There are also tax allowances for taxable persons with multiple people (including children) under their care. Nevertheless, family allowances and tax reductions are available whether children attend preschool or not.
Preschool children are able to utilise school transportation at no cost.
Primary education
In Belgium there are family allowances for families with children. There are also tax allowances for taxable persons with multiple people (including children) under their care. However, family allowances and tax reductions are available whether children attend primary school or not. School fees cannot be levied. Financial aid from the public sector for families whose children are attending primary school is only available to cover school transportation.
Up until the 2007-2008 school year, only the costs exceeding the stipulated costs for transportation to the nearest school of free choice are refunded by the ministry. As of 1 September 2008, school transportation is free of charge for all students under the age of 12.
Older students who are duly enrolled at an accredited school in BE de are granted a 50-per-cent reduction for their school bus season ticket. Families with many children receive an additional reduction of 20% per child if they attend the nearest school of free choice. In addition, the costs exceeding the stipulated costs for transportation to the nearest school of free choice are refunded by the ministry. Textbooks and notebooks are provided by the school at no charge. Parents pay for food from the school canteen, admission to the swimming pool, and expenses for school and class trips. Some of the costs are sometimes covered by parent associations or friends of the school.
Secondary education
Families with children in Belgium receive a child allowance. There are also tax allowances for taxable persons with multiple people (including children) under their care. Nevertheless, family allowances and tax reductions are available whether children attend secondary school or not.
School transportation for students under 12 years old is free of charge; students between 12 and 24 years of age duly enrolled at an accredited school in BE de are granted a 50-per-cent reduction for their school bus season ticket.Families with many children receive an additional reduction of 20 % per child if they attend the nearest school of free choice. As always, the costs exceeding the stipulated costs for transportation to the nearest school of free choice are refunded by the ministry.
Families with a low household income (considering the number of people under a household's financial care) have the right to a small study grant per family member attending secondary school. If the students reside at a boarding school, the rates depends on the lower and upper years.
Parents may have to pay for special services. Families pay for stationery and exercise books; books are usually provided by the school for a small lending fee. Parents pay for food from the school canteen, admission to the swimming pool, and expenses for school and class trips. Some of the costs are sometimes covered by parent associations or friends of the school.
Financial support for learners
See above.
Private education
There is no publicly-funded private education in the German-speaking Community.