Strict Catholic school to open in Overijse

In its first year, the school will accept only first year secondary school students but plans to expand in the future. The students will receive education according to strict Catholic standards.

“A lot of parents are no longer finding what they want for their children within the Catholic education network,” explained Sint-Ignatius head Katrijn Caekaert. “They want to give their children a real Catholic education, and that’s not possible anymore in the network.”

The lessons in religion, given two hours per week, will be based on the Mechelse Catechism, which was published for the last time in 1954. Students will have to learn much by heart, as was common in Flanders until the middle of the 20th century.

Religion will make up a part of all lessons, as was the case in former Jesuit schools. “Yes, we are old-fashioned, conservative and strict,” said Caekaert. “These are not bad words.”

The private school will receive no public funding but is receiving the help of thousands of supporters who have pledged to donate €10 per month. Registration fees will be adjusted to the financial situation of families.

The first students have already registered, and most staff has been appointed. Sint-Ignatius hopes to eventually get government recognition so it can award official diplomas to graduates. This decision lies with the department of education, which will examine whether the school has a solid education programme and respects the eindtermen – the final requirements for students to graduate.

Education specialist Ides Nicaise of the University of Leuven commented that he found the school out of step with current times. “But our country adopts freedom of education, so anyone can develop a pedagogical approach according to their own convictions, as long as it doesn’t conflict with the law.”