Updates concerning the temporary School site in Evere

The Steering Committee of Brussels European Schools met again on Monday,12 October and discussed the prospects for the setting up of the temporary site in Evere.

The Building Agency confirmed that the project is well on track, based on the existing planning and in agreement with the Belgian Ministries in charge of the project. Construction works are envisaged to start in February and to be concluded by the end of August 2021.

The guidelines for enrolments for the next school year will be prepared by the end of the year on a dual basis, including Evere capacity and a "Plan B" (no Evere option) for any unforeseen contingency which might occur.

The main option to be presented to the Board of Governors on 20 October considers, as we mentioned in a previous newsletter, the setting up of a temporary site, which will be annexed to EEB2 (Woluwe School) and will involve new enrolments in Nursery and Primary for the linguistic sections existing in that school. 

To move any enrolled students into sections or satellite classes from other sites or schools without their consent to the new temporary site is not an option. The document to be presented to the Board of Governors will include specific provisions as to these categories for future enrolments, the treatment of siblings as well as some open ideas for the setting up of new linguistic sections in the longer run, especially for those sections whose population increases constantly. The latter decision is not expected to be taken in 2020-2021 but after a careful and overall examination of all parameters (in a long-term approach).

Option A would have a very limited positive impact on our school while option B would impact it negatively. From a current population of 3310 students in September 2020, this is expected to remain almost stable in September 2021 (3311 students estimated under option A, with Evere) and rise to 3394 (option B, without Evere). In September 2022, the forecast is that the EEB3 size would decrease slightly to 3272 (option A, with Evere) and further increase to 3437 (option B, without Evere). However, the projection for 2022 is highly unlikely as any contingency planning should be only undertaken for 2021.

In the course of the discussion, the APEEE President stressed the extremely concerning overcrowding trends in our school and the lack of space for any new students next year, in the event that Evere does not open. He underlined also the severe risks of any further increase in our school numbers and the enormous challenges the school community faces already during the pandemic. He emphasised the need to cap enrolment figures as from 2021 onwards at reduced levels to be agreed upon, thereby ensuring a gradual but significant reduction in our school numbers.

The APEEE will continue to provide regular updates on this subject.