DistantNews
๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ช Belgium /Culture & Society

New Dutch-language secondary school 'Heilig Hart XL' to open in Elsene

From VRT NWS · (42m ago) Dutch

Translated from Dutch, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • A new Dutch-language secondary school, 'Heilig Hart XL', will open in Elsene on September 1, accommodating 450 students.
  • The school will be located on a multi-functional campus currently under construction on Pleinlaan, with plans evolving from relocating an existing school to establishing a completely new one.
  • The shift to a new school is attributed to more favorable financing, and the institution will focus on interactive, project-based learning, expanding its offerings in subsequent years.

The opening of 'Heilig Hart XL' in Elsene marks a significant development for Dutch-language education in the Brussels-Capital Region. This new institution, part of the Katoba school group, is not merely relocating an existing school but establishing a fresh educational environment designed for modern learning.

That is mainly due to financing. That is more interesting for us with a new school.

โ€” Kurt De PrinsDirector of the school group explaining the decision to establish a new school rather than relocate an existing one.

Director Kurt De Prins highlighted that the decision to create a new school was primarily driven by financial considerations, suggesting a strategic move to optimize resources. The school's pedagogical approach emphasizes 'klasdoorbrekend en interactief werk' (cross-classroom and interactive work), aligning with contemporary educational philosophies that prioritize student engagement and collaborative learning.

The vision we are continuing, with a lot of cross-classroom and interactive work.

โ€” Kurt De PrinsDirector of the school group describing the educational approach of the new school.

While the campus is still under construction, the school administration expresses confidence in meeting the September 1 opening date. The modern facilities, including a gymnasium with panoramic views of Brussels, and good public transport accessibility, are expected to attract students. The inclusion of the third grade from Atheneum Etterbeek further solidifies its role within the local educational landscape.

It is classic that new schools have stress about whether their building will be ready on time. But that will not be a problem in this case. We are right on schedule with a beautiful, modern building.

โ€” Jan SchoenmakersDirector of 'Heilig Hart XL' expressing confidence in the construction timeline.

This expansion signifies a commitment to providing accessible and quality Dutch-language education in a region where linguistic balance is a constant consideration. The focus on innovative teaching methods positions 'Heilig Hart XL' as a forward-looking institution ready to meet the evolving needs of its students.

Our gymnasium on the top floor overlooks all of Brussels. And we are easily accessible by public transport.

โ€” Jan SchoenmakersDirector of 'Heilig Hart XL' highlighting the school's facilities and accessibility.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by VRT NWS in Dutch. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.