Brussels gives green light to Belgium's first middle school

In 2018, a middle school for adolescents aged 10 to 14 will open its doors in Anderlecht, the first of its kind in Belgium which currently only has two school levels: primary and secondary, writes De Morgen.

"One in seven students in Brussels gets held back in the first year of high school,” says Piet Vandermot, managing director of the new school. “Even after getting good grades in primary school, the jump to secondary education is often too big. The onset of puberty also plays an important role. Is it wise to require children to choose a study programme so young? Is it not better to postpone such an important decision for two years?"

By launching the new middle school concept in Belgium, Vandermot wants to bridge the gap between primary and secondary school, with an aim to help teenagers prepare for their later studies. According to Vandermot, three four-year periods of school would be an improvement on the current system, which combines two six-year periods of study.