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Education allowance at commission
I will take a job at the commission. I'm considering to send my child to EE3 school in September (15 years old + English section). In the staff regulation it discusses getting a reimbursement of fees up to around 250 EUR a month. Can you confirm what, if any, fees will be reimbursed and how much I should expect to pay out of pocket each year for his education at EU school? He will also need to take the school bus for example.
I heard that maybe the commission instead provides a flat rate monthly instead. Can anyone provide an idea of what to expect?
Unless your child speaks French or German at a high level I would not recommend the European school. Children start learning their second language in year one primary, many are already bi-lingual before this.
Your child will be expected to have lessons and take exams in a number of subject in her 'second language' (French or German) these subjects include History, Geography, Economics, Sociology.
There won't be allowances made if she does not.
It is possible but extremely difficult for any child. If she cannot manage she will not achieve any qualification as the only qualification available is the European Bac.
Please think extremely carefully before putting your child through this at the age of 15.
Read secondary information fully: http://www.eursc.eu/index.php?id=137
From European schools Website:
-In secondary years 1-5, art, music, ICT and physical education are taught to mixed language groups in one of the three working languages (DE, EN, FR) or in the language of the host country.
-In secondary years 6-7, art, music (basic and option courses) and physical education are taught to mixed language groups in one of the three working languages (DE, EN, FR) or in the language of the host country.
If English section, the child must follow the following courses in French or German.
-In secondary year 3, human sciences courses and from secondary year 4, history, geography and economics courses are organised in DE, EN and FR.
Human sciences courses in secondary year 3 and history and geography must be followed in the pupil’s second (DE, EN, FR) language.
-In secondary years 6-7, if the 4-period option course in history and geography cannot be organised in the pupil's working language (DE, EN, FR), the pupil may follow it in another working language provided that this is not the pupil's L1, with the Director’s permission.
With the approval of the Administrative Board, the school may organise the teaching of certain subjects (e.g. ICT, Ethics, Religion etc.) in the L2 or the language of the host country.
Just to add - you don't pay to go to European school if you work for the European Commission - As the first poster says, your child (presumably English mother tongue?) would have to have a very, very high level of French/German as they would be doing a number of subjects in those languages. The child would also need a third language.
Note also you do not necessarily get the school you choose... it is a lottery system each year and you have to take the school you are offered (where you live is not relevant).
Regarding allowances - there is an education allowance - which you can learn about from the PMO (Paymasters office) .. as to the amount etc ...
Best of luck with your choice
All the information concerning transport,canteen etc you can find here:
http://www.ixellesparents.be/index.php/en/
You don't pay school fees but the rest of the expenses is on you. Transport is around 1200 euro per year, canteen 768 euro.
ME is correct that your child needs a good level of French or German to follow the subjects in the second language.
If you decide to send your child to an other school(e.g. the British school) the Commission will cover part of the cost up to the amount of the fees for the European school (I think around 7000 euro)
I believe that in order for the fees to be covered in, for example, the British School, then a case has to be made showing that the European Schools cannot provide a certain level of education for your child. This was certainly the case in years gone by.
The advice concerning language is certainly a concern, particularly if the student has no language skills in either French or German. It is worth noting that unlike the UK kids have to repeat the year if they fail roughly three or more subjects, that being an overall grade of under 6/10 for each subject.
It is my (long) experience of one the European Schools that although there is only qualification is the European Bac at the end of Secondary School, very, very few students actually fail it and these kids really have to work hard to do so!
Although the rules are in the process of being changed, I believe a student newly entering a school can have subjects taken in their (new) second language taken into account in their first year.
The situation is very complex and one thing you can do is take contact with someone at one of the schools and discuss it with them. Try a 'Coordinateur pédagogique' for example. There is one for years 4-5 and another for years 6-7. If you want some more first hand advice, perhaps one the posters here could help if you came to Brussels beforehand. I'm happy to.
You didn't mention anything about this in your post though
whoops, didn't finish the sentence or check for grammar. Sorry.
...in your post though so if the financial side is all that you are concerned with then don't be put off. Most kids of a reasonable academic ability adapt quickly and most teachers are considerate, particularly if the student shows willing and endeavor.
My small comments:
School bus is paid by the employer.
In the past years I had a number of friends who came from abroad with teenage children and cuscessfully integrated in the European school. Many of these kids had a lower-medium level of the second language (the first foreign one) and no second foreign language at all, as in many schools around Europe teaching foreign languages is not a huge success. All progressed well and continue to studying there.
