Some children find learning harder than others. Fortunately, various organisations offer assistance and support to children that are experiencing difficulties in primary and secondary school. Various Brussels schools also run special programmes, funded by the Brussels-Capital Region, to reduce absenteeism and prevent violence in schools.
Learning to learn
Sometimes, primary and secondary school children need a bit of help with their studies. Teachers and parents are a great source of help when it comes to homework and learning, but this may not be enough in some cases. There are, however, various organisations that can offer professional help.
For French speakers
The "écoles de devoirs" (homework classes) are extracurricular voluntary initiatives that work on the social and cultural development of the young people by helping them with their homework.
'Fédération francophone des écoles de devoirs (FR)'
Coordination of Écoles de devoirs in Brussels
Rue de la Colonne 54, 1080 Molenbeek
Phone: +32 (0)2 411 43 30
Email: cedd_bxl@yahoo.fr
A list of 'écoles de devoirs (FR)'
Children and parents can also contact the psycho-medico-social centres (PMS) (FR) to get advice and support on a large range of questions concerning school and learning.
For Dutch speakers
In most schools for Dutch speakers 'Leerlingenbegeleiders' (student counsellors) can help students with any learning difficulties they may be experiencing. Students can also get in touch with the Centra voor Leerlingenbegeleiding (CLB – student support centres for Dutch speakers (NL)).
Teleblok provides phone or online assistance to students in secondary and higher education in the period prior to and during exams (NL).
www.teleblok.be offers lots of advice for managing your time during the exams. Call Teleblok free of charge on 0800 13 14 4 (within Belgium).
Non-Dutch speakers who attend a primary or secondary school teaching in Dutch can benefit from a supplementary immersion course in the Dutch language at one of the community centres (NL) of the Brussels-Capital Region or the outer suburbs.
The school dropout plan
The Dispositif d'Accrochage Scolaire (school dropout plan) implemented by the Brussels-Capital Region is designed to stop young people dropping out of school and hanging around the streets. It combines punishment with preventive measures.
The mayors of the communes have a duty to enforce compulsory school attendance, which is why the Dispositif d'Accrochage Scolaire is a communal measure. The Brussels-Capital Region provides the resources to set up projects at the schools to prevent absenteeism, dropping out and violence. These projects are based on various methods:
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Language training for migrant children
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Games, sports and personal expression to prevent violence
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Workshops on truancy and violence for students
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Activities during lunch break or after school
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Homework classes
Find out more about the Dispositif d'Accrochage Scolaire (FR/NL).
