Generally
In the past there were conflicts between state schools and catholic schools (de schoolstrijd), and disputes whether the latter should be funded by the government. The 1958 School Pact was an agreement of the three large political parties (the Christian democrat, socialist and liberal party) to end these conflicts.
Due to the federalization of Belgium, education is organised by the three communities since 1989. Since then, the Flemish Government organises education in the Flemish Region as well as in the bilingual Brussels-Capital Region where the Government of the French Community is also responsible. The Flemish Community organises the Dutch-language education but has to provide French-language schools in the 12 municipalities with language facilities within the Flemish Region.
The federal level only regulates very few general matters: the start and end of the compulsory education (which is between the ages of 6 and 18), the minimal conditions for issuing diplomas, and the pension scheme. Article 24 of the Belgian Constitution furthermore guarantees free education, the right of parents to choose their school and the (philosophical, ideological and religious) neutrality of government-provided schools. These state schools have to provide the choice between the teaching of one of the recognized religions and non-denominational moral teaching.
Read more about this topic: Gemeenschapsonderwijs
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