Ottignies-Louvain-la-Neuve: Future of Immersion Education Under Review

The City and Wallonia-Brussels Education are exploring a school merger to enhance immersion programs and ensure student educational continuity.

Stone facade of a Walloon town hall with an ornate iron balcony, under a clear blue afternoon sky.
AI

Stone facade of a Walloon town hall with an ornate iron balcony, under a clear blue afternoon sky.

Facing declining school enrollment, the City of Ottignies-Louvain-la-Neuve and Wallonia-Brussels Education are initiating a study on a potential merger between the municipal primary school and the primary school attached to the Athénée Royal Paul Delvaux.

This initiative aims to secure the future of official immersion education within the municipality and ensure the continuity of students' educational paths. While transitional measures have kept the municipal school open this academic year, a long-term strategy is deemed necessary.
The two institutions offer complementary programs: immersion is provided from the third year of kindergarten to the third year of primary school at the municipal school, and from the third to the sixth year of primary at the Athénée Royal Paul Delvaux. A merger could strengthen this pathway and make the immersion offering clearer for families.
A comprehensive analysis will now be conducted to examine the implications of a potential merger, respecting the students and staff involved. No fusion decision has been made at this stage; the analysis will first assess various possibilities.
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"The Communal College welcomes this joint declaration of intent that launches an analytical process. This will help verify if the identified opportunities are confirmed for the benefit of the teams, students, and families of Ottignies."

Nicolas Van der Maren · Mayor of Ottignies-Louvain-la-Neuve
Teachers from both institutions and their union representatives have been informed. The City and WBE aim for this reflection to proceed in a calm and constructive atmosphere, in consultation with the staff and trade unions.
Based on information from the official source: Ville d’Ottignies-Louvain-la-Neuve — Actualités (05/10/2026)