Antwerp neighborhood Luchtbal gets new ’emergency school’ for special education | Antwerp
AntwerpThe Flemish government and the city of Antwerp are going to set up 13 million euros in an ’emergency school’ for special education, which is struggling with a major capacity problem. The school in the Luchtbal district must open its doors on September 1, 2023.
Although more places in special education have been worked on for years, the shortage of places only continues to increase as demand continues to increase. The months of (again) cries for help came from the education world and so they are not without consequence. Place in an ’emergency school’ in Columbiastraat 214, in a fully-fledged new school that should be there by 2029.
“We are doing everything we can to create more places in special education, especially where the needs are great,” says Flemish Minister of Education Ben Weyts (N-VA). “I am well aware that we cannot meet all needs immediately, but we have increased the budgets for it and are looking for short-term and long-term solutions. This emergency school will make a tangible difference in Antwerp.”
Type 2 and 9
The emergency school will be intended for children and young people with intellectual disabilities (‘Type 2’) and children and young people with an autism spectrum disorder (‘Type 9’), especially for them the demand for places is high. Both primary and secondary education will be provided.
“From the city, we continued to look for solutions together with our urban network and the Flemish one”, says Antwerp education alderman Jinnih Beels (Vooruit). “This will not completely eliminate the waiting list, but we are taking a big step in the right direction. Every spot counts.”
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