Certain Flemish secondary schools offer special classes for non-Dutch speaking children and young people from refugee families. However, in many parts of Flanders, the number of places available in these classes does not seem to be sufficient to meet demand. Some youngsters have been told that they will have to wait until September before a place becomes available for them. The lack of space has arisen despite the fact that many secondary schools have added capacity in recent months. With the number of students enrolled in OKAN classes increasing by 50% since this time last year, many youngsters are still ending up on waiting lists.
Johan De Wilde is chairman of the local education platform in Aalst (East Flanders). He told VRT NWS: “The right to education is violated and as a result, young people not only miss out on the chance to learn the language, but also to develop intellectually. This leads to them being marginalized in general, and that is very frustrating”.
