OKAN (reception class for non-Dutch-speaking newcomers)

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How do you register your child in a reception class for non-Dutch-speaking newcomers (OKAN) in Brussels? This page tells you how and when to do this:

What is OKAN?

OKAN stands for 'reception class for non-Dutch-speaking newcomers'. Non-Dutch-speaking newcomers are children and young people who have not lived in Belgium for long and who do not speak or understand enough Dutch to be able to attend classes. The reception class enables these pupils to learn Dutch as quickly as possible.

OKAN is organised in elementary and secondary education. More information about OKAN in Brussels (in Dutch).

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Which children should be registered?

Is your child a non-Dutch-speaking newcomer and between the ages of 5 and 18? Then they are obliged to attend school from the 60th day of their stay in Belgium. Even if your child does not have official residence papers, you have the right to register them in a school. For children between the ages of 2.5 and 5, such education is not mandatory, but is highly recommended.

More information about the compulsory education for children with other nationalities (in Dutch).

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How to register?

You have the right to register your child in the school of your choice. Every school must register a non-Dutch-speaking newcomer if they meet the admission requirements and if the school is not full. Learn more about the admission requirements (in Dutch). 

Registering in elementary education

Do you want to register your child in a reception class in a Dutch-speaking nursery or primary school in Brussels? Contact the school where you want to register your child. Are there no places available? Contact LOP Brussel Basisonderwijs to find out where there are still places available. 

Registering in secondary education

Do you want to register your child in a reception class in a Dutch-speaking secondary school in Brussels? In Brussels, four schools organise reception classes for non-Dutch-speaking newcomers:

  1. Sint-Guido Instituut (Anderlecht)
  2. Hoofdstedelijk Instituut Anneessens-Funck (Brussel)
  3. GO! Meertalig Atheneum Woluwe (Sint-Pieters-Woluwe)
  4. Don Bosco (Sint-Pieters-Woluwe)

You can find the contact details of the OKAN schools and more information about their offer via the ‘scholenzoeker’ (school finder).

Check the list of available places (under 'year', select 'OKAN'). Are there still places available? Contact the school where you want to register your child. Are there no places available? Then contact LOP Brussel Secundair Onderwijs to find out where you can still register your child.

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