22 children with care needs suddenly can no longer go to boarding school in De Haan

The parents of the 22 children only heard the bad news a few days before the start of the school year. Because Nest, like the other boarding schools, was transferred from special education to Welfare, many staff members have moved elsewhere. There was uncertainty about their future for too long, it sounds. (read more below the photo)

Pieter De Winne (photo), general director of the Impact school group, calls the situation in Nest dire. “We are looking for an emergency solution in other care centers. It is unfortunate that the Flemish government did not provide clarity earlier about the employment conditions of the staff when transferring the boarding schools from Education to Welfare.”

One of the affected children is Kevin from Zuienkerke, 11 years old. His parents, Vidyamatee and Ricky (photo), have a catering business and are now at a loss. Kevin goes to school in De Vloedlijn, in special education, in Ostend. His parents cannot provide the extra care that Kevin needs. They now have to look for an alternative, while the school year is already underway. Now he spends two hours on the bus every day. (read more below the photo)

Opposition addresses problem

Steve Vandenberghe, mayor of Bredene and Flemish MP for Vooruit, will interpellate the responsible ministers, Hilde Crevits and Ben Weyts, about this. Vandenberghe is a member of the education committee. Annick Lambrecht, among others, will do this on the education committee.