Non-University Higher Technical Education in Belgium

Abstract

The Historical Background Article I7 of the Belgian Constitution, which was drawn up shortly after independence in I830 and promulgated on February 7, I83I, guaranteed full freedom of education. For almost a century, the State did not in fact interfere with or initiate action in the field of technical education. Instead, municipalities, provinces, religious orders and private individuals availed themselves of their constitutional rights and founded technical and vocational schools, crafts and industry schools, domestic science schools, agricultural and horticultural colleges, etc. The diversity of names denotes a highly nuanced conception of educational forms and levels and reflects a variegated pattern of development conditioned by local customs and requirements. Broadly speaking, the instruction offered in these establishments would nowadays be classified as lower secondary education.