1,827 Ukrainian children on Flemish school benches

On the first school day after the Easter holidays, 1,827 Ukrainian children took their places in Flemish schools. This is apparent from the figures presented on Wednesday by the Cabinet of Flemish Minister of Education Ben Weyts. 

It mainly concerns young children. 920 Ukrainian children are enrolled in primary education and another 525 in nursery education. 382 Ukrainian youngsters are attending secondary schools. 

"These seem to be manageable figures. But on the one hand this is again a challenge after the corona crisis and on the other hand we know that there will be another influx", Minister Weyts told in De Ochtend on Radio 1.

A third of the children go to school in the province of Antwerp, which is not that remarkable, as there already is a Ukrainian community. 403 Ukrainian children go to school in East Flanders, 294 in West Flanders, 286 in Flemish Brabant, 196 in Limburg and 46 in the Brussels Capital Region.

The figures include both pupils enrolled in regular classes and pupils attending OKAN classes, reception education for non-native newcomers. Minister Weyts assumes that the numbers will rise because Ukrainian children - like other newcomers - are only subject to compulsory education from the 60th day after their registration as resident of a Belgian municipality.

(AHU)

© Belga Photo James Arthur Gekiere - Flemish Minister of Education and Animal Welfare and Sports Ben Weyts pictured during the first language screening test at the third grade of kindergarten GBS De Springplank in Asse, Monday 11 October 2021.