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Education in Belgium is the responsibility of the three separate language communities (Flanders, Wallonia and Brussels). Most schools are run by or subsidized by the state, and education in these is free of charge. There are also a number of fee-charging privately-run method schools (e.g. Montessori, Steiner, Decroly).

Children in Belgium are required to attend school between the ages of 6 and 18, although part-time study is sometimes allowed for those aged over 16.

In the Belgian education system the whole range of academic subjects are studied at primary level, then after the age of 12 there is more specialization depending on academic ability and individual preference. Students study for the Certificate of Lower Secondary Education and the Certificate of Higher Education.

There are a large number of international schools in Belgium, mainly located in Brussels and Antwerp, which follow the British, US and other overseas educational systems. There are currently 11 international schools offering primary and secondary education, and a further 8 offering primary education only. Many of these schools also have nurseries or pre-schools attached.

The international schools in Belgium tend to be expensive, but many expats have school fees paid for their children as part of their employment package. As there is such a large community of expatriates in Belgium, there are often waiting lists for the international schools.

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