School enrolment in Brussels and Flanders is facing significant challenges as the deadline on 2025-05-15 14:52:00 revealed a high demand for places in Dutch-language secondary education. With 3,563 applications for 2,932 available spots in the A-stream, many families are still navigating the complexities of school choices and availability.
- Assign first-choice schools to 2,357 students
- Reject 807 students from secondary education
- Place 726 students in 382 B-stream spots
- Manage waitlists for unplaced children
- Enforce cancellation for double enrollments
- Offer 176 free A-stream places May 20
While 2,357 students secured their first-choice schools, a notable number ended up with their second or third options, and 807 children were refused placement altogether. This situation raises important questions about access to quality education and how families can best prepare for enrolment.
What happens to children who do not get a place at their preferred school? And how can parents maximize their chances in this competitive environment? The following summary provides clarity and guidance.
Why are so many children being refused, and what can parents do? The data shows that many parents list only one school choice, which limits options if refused. Others choose popular schools with no available spots. Key points to consider include:
- Half of the refused applicants had only one school choice, increasing their risk of not getting a place.
- The B-stream, for students without a primary education certificate, faces even greater shortages with all 382 places taken by 726 applicants.
- Automatic waitlists help manage double registrations and cancellations, ensuring spots open up for others.
- Free registrations from 20 May provide an important opportunity to secure remaining places.
Looking ahead, parents should stay informed about free registration dates and consider multiple school options to improve their child’s chances. How can schools and authorities better balance demand and supply? Continued dialogue and planning will be essential to ensure that nearly all children find a place by September.
