European Schools

European Baccalaureate rule change may create serious problems for families

European Schools, Newsletter-2026-10-27

A recent change to the European Schools’ rules for the European Baccalaureate (BAC) could have major consequences for students and for European Commission staff whose children attend these schools. 

Until now, if a student missed a written BAC exam for a justified medical reason, they could take a substitute exam during the normal BAC session. This made it possible for students to complete the BAC in June, as usual, and move on to university in the next academic year   Continue reading European Baccalaureate rule change may create serious problems for families →

Meeting with members: updates on key issues, exchange of views and Q&A

Contract Agents, European Schools, Events, Internal Competitions, Social Dialogue

*Update: please find here the presentation and the recording of the webinar*

On Tuesday, 5 May 2026 at lunchtime (12:30 – 13:30) we held a meeting with members on current key issues of interest for staff. The meeting, which was held online, was a valuable opportunity for our members to receive updates on current topics, exchange views on issues affecting colleagues, and ask questions.

The agenda included particularly European Schools, competitions, social dialogue on sick leave, Large Scale Review, Contract Agents and more.

If you have questions, feel free to contact us by email or through our usual channels. 

The trip to nowhere: How European School trips became a nightmare for parents and teachers

Education, Equality, European Schools, Newsletter-2026-04-17

Parents in European School pay overpriced disorganised trips for their kids.
It works as follows: the school organises a trip (for instance, a visit to a museum or to a farm) with pedagogical goals. Most often, the teachers are those arranging all the practical details, choosing the place, the best choices for tickets, the activities and hours…
The file is sent to a travel agency that holds the monopoly so that they buy the tickets and arrange transport and, when needed, accommodation. More often than not, the agency acts slowly so that by the time they buy the whole trip is more expensive than at the time the teachers planned it. 

Continue reading The trip to nowhere: How European School trips became a nightmare for parents and teachers →

Evere: Temporary School, Permanent Uncertainty 

Brussels, European Schools, Newsletter-2025-12-19

When the European School in Evere opened in 2021, it was meant to be a quick fix for the chronic overcrowding in Brussels’ European Schools. Four years later, that “temporary” solution has become home to more than 1 500 pupils of the European School II. Parents, teachers and children have built a real community there.  

The problem?  

Legally and politically, the site was never meant to last. 

Continue reading Evere: Temporary School, Permanent Uncertainty  →

Urgent Call for Reform in European Schools

Education, EEAS, Equality, European Schools, Newsletter-2025-03-26, well-being

On 25 March 2025, Generation 2004 External Action Service (EEAS) section hosted a conference addressing the pressing challenges within the European Schools (ESS) system. The event witnessed robust participation, with a full room of colleagues and approximately 30-35 online attendees from the EEAS and the European Commission, all deeply engaged in discussions about the future of our children’s education. Continue reading Urgent Call for Reform in European Schools →

Upcoming Conference: Challenges in European Schools – 25 March 2025

diversity & inclusion, Education, EEAS, Equality, European Schools, Events, Training

*Upddate 26.03.2025 please check our summary of this event.*

Original article: Are you concerned about the European Schools system and the challenges it presents for families? Join Generation 2004 – EEAS Section on 25 March (12:30–13:30, hybrid format) for an open discussion on key issues, including long commuting times, teacher shortages, high costs, limited language choice, and inadequate psychological support.
Continue reading Upcoming Conference: Challenges in European Schools – 25 March 2025 →

Ensuring Transparency and Accountability in Schooling in Belgium

Education, Equality, European Schools, Newsletter-2025-03-26

Disclaimer: “The information presented in this article is based on insights gathered from various social media groups, discussions, and testimonies shared by Brussels-baised colleagues. While we strive to provide accurate and relevant details, we are committed to preserving confidentiality and protecting the privacy of individuals involved.
Continue reading Ensuring Transparency and Accountability in Schooling in Belgium →

Protecting Our Children’s Mental Health: Urgent Reforms Needed in European Schools

Childcare, diversity & inclusion, Education, Equality, European Schools, Health, Newsletter-2025-02-28, well-being, Working conditions

The mental health and well-being of children in European Schools (ESS) should be a top priority for the European Schools as well as for the European institutions. Nevertheless, many parents within our community have raised serious concerns about the lack of psychological support, insufficient supervision, and how the system fails to address emotional distress among students. Continue reading Protecting Our Children’s Mental Health: Urgent Reforms Needed in European Schools →

Special leave for parents’ representatives in European Schools

Education, European Schools, Newsletter-2025-02-12, Working conditions

Parents’ representatives devote a considerable amount of time for the benefit of the European Schools in general and our children in particular, covering aspects that do not require continuous intervention of parents in national schools (e.g. transport, canteen, representation in the Education Council and in the coordination bodies…).   Continue reading Special leave for parents’ representatives in European Schools →

Brussels European Schools: locally recruited teachers on strike 

Education, Equality, European Schools, Newsletter-2025-02-12, Staff Categories, Working conditions

Generation 2004 has sadly learned that locally recruited teachers plan a series of partial strikes at several dates in February, including a march to the Office of the Secretary General. If their demands are not met they plan an all day strike on 1st April.  While we realise the negative impact to parents and children of this action, we can only sympathize with these teachers, who find themselves in a legal void making their jobs and lives a constant struggle. Continue reading Brussels European Schools: locally recruited teachers on strike  →