Lapscheure (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The only primary school in Lapscheure, ’t Nestje, will close permanently at the end of this school year with 21 pupils. Principal Sophie Van Hulle, Alderman Lut Fockedey, and Mayor Joachim Cons cite low enrolment, accessibility, and teacher shortages.
As VRT News reported, the only primary school in Lapscheure, near Damme, in the province of West Flanders, Belgium, will close its doors at the end of this school year. The school, called ’t Nestje, has been part of the village for more than 400 years, marking the end of a long local tradition of education. The closure comes after several years of low enrolment.
“We’re making this decision with a heavy heart, because the management, teachers, and a very active parent committee have done everything they could to breathe new life into ‘t Nestje,”
says Sophie Van Hulle of the Karel De Goede school group.
“They’ve created promotional videos, organised campaigns, and worked with us to develop a new vision for the school”
What is causing Lapscheure’s only primary school ’t Nestje, to close permanently?
According to officials, this year, only 21 pupils are registered, falling below the 24-student minimum required by the Flemish government to keep the school open. The school is now in its first grace year, and if numbers do not rise next year, the shutdown will be final.
Principal Van Hulle said the situation reflects a wider trend in rural areas, where young families are moving away to bigger towns and cities. Despite many attempts to attract more children, the school could not reach the required number.
“Fewer students also means fewer resources,”
explains Van Hulle.
“But ‘t Nestje is housed in an old building, where fixed costs remain the same, but unexpected investments are also necessary.”
Officials mentioned that finding teachers has also become increasingly difficult. ’t Nestje uses mixed-grade classes, where pupils from different year levels are taught together. This system demands teachers who are highly motivated and ready to take on extra challenges.
“You need teachers who are 200 percent committed,”
said Van Hulle.
“It’s rewarding work, but not easy.”
The closure of ’t Nestje, the only primary school in Lapscheure, has raised concern within the Damme city council. Officials say the shutdown is not only the result of low pupil numbers but also of road and transport issues around the village.
Limited public transport and poor road connections have made it difficult for families to reach the school easily. Over the years, some parents decided to send their children to schools in nearby towns.
“The former expressway from Knokke to Antwerp has been converted into a motorway with far fewer exits. This makes Lapscheure less accessible, and that also affects student numbers. Add to that the unfavourable birth rate forecasts, and you see that keeping the school open is unrealistic,”
says Van Hulle.
Alderman for Education Lut Fockedey (CD&V Plus) said she regrets the closure and stressed the importance of education close to home, especially for younger pupils.
“Local education gives children a strong start,”
she said.
“It’s not only a loss for the children who attend school there, but for the entire local community of Lapscheure,”
says Mayor Joachim Cons (cd&v plus).
“A school is more than just education; it’s a unifying force.”
Fockedey explained that there are still other primary schools in Damme where pupils from Lapscheure can continue their studies. The school group has confirmed that it will hold meetings with all parents to discuss the next steps and ensure every child finds a suitable place.
“We still have schools in the Dam region and want to ensure that sufficient information is provided when a child transfers to another school,”
says Van Hulle.
“And we want to make the current school year a top year in Lapscheure, no matter what.”
School closures in small villages have become more common in Belgium and across Europe. Many rural schools shut down when pupil numbers fall below the minimum required. In West Flanders, villages like Oudenburg saw schools close between 2018 and 2020 due to low enrolment, with students moving to nearby towns.
In East Flanders, schools in villages such as Wachtebeke and Sinaai closed between 2015 and 2019. In the Walloon Region, villages in Hainaut lost small schools around 2017 for similar reasons.
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