The reform of the enrolment decree simplifies the process for entering the 1st year of secondary school: no more use of the child's primary school's socio-economic index to rank pupils (coefficient 8), faster decisions and greater fairness for all families!
1. The main measures
Abolition of coefficient 8
Introduced in 2022, it created discrimination, particularly in Brussels, where some children living right next to their school had no chance of getting in. Its abolition puts an end to this inequality, without creating new perverse effects.
Easier communication with families
Decisions from the Enrolment Governance Commission (CoGI) will now be sent by email, with a paper version still available for families who wish it.
Easing of the “presumed incomplete school” status
More schools will be able to confirm enrolments immediately. From 2026, an additional 50 schools should benefit from this, reducing the workload for school management and reassuring families.
Stronger action against fraud
Any proven fraud (false residency, false certificate) will lead to the cancellation of the enrolment. The pupil will be placed back in the chronological process according to remaining places, while respecting the parents' right to a defence.
Maintaining stable criteria
Distance will continue to be calculated “as the crow flies”: a single, objective and verifiable criterion.
Abolition of the Local Enrolment Bodies (ILI)
Deemed inefficient and administratively burdensome, their tasks will be taken over by the CoGI, which is already responsible.
2. The expected benefits
- Less administrative burden, a smoother process.
- An end to the discrimination created by coefficient 8 (particularly in north-west Brussels).
- Families receive clearer information more quickly.
- In many schools, enrolment confirmation will be faster.
- Increased action against fraud, ensuring every family plays by the same rules.
3. Response to criticism
- “Nothing fundamental is changing” → False: abolition of coefficient 8, abolition of the ILIs, stronger penalties against fraud.
- “There still aren't enough places” → Inaccurate: the issue is the attractiveness of certain schools, not an overall shortage.
- “This penalises certain families” → False: the reform removes a discriminatory criterion and simplifies access for everyone.
- “This is a budgetary reform” → False: no budgetary impact, the aim is pedagogical and organisational.
4. Key figures and references
In September 2024, in Brussels: 1,729 places still available and only 14 pupils without a school. The problem is not a lack of places, but the insufficient attractiveness of certain schools.
5. Key messages to remember
- We are simplifying the process and correcting injustices so that every family is treated fairly and transparently.
- The abolition of coefficient 8 puts an end to a discrimination that prevented some children, particularly in north-west Brussels, from accessing their local school.
- Decisions will be communicated to families more quickly, by email and by post if requested.
- From 2026, nearly 50 additional schools will be able to confirm enrolments immediately, easing the burden on school management and reassuring families.
- The fight against fraud is being strengthened so that the rules are truly the same for everyone.
- The problem is not a lack of places, but the attractiveness of certain schools. A project is being launched to identify these schools, analyse the causes and put concrete actions in place to address this.