Belgians brave cold to enroll kids in best schools

Thousands of Belgian parents camped in cold, wet weather on Thursday to enroll their children in French-speaking schools under a new first-come, first-served registration system.

Families set up impromptu camp sites outside school gates, with police in attendance to keep the peace ahead of the start of registration for next year's school term.



The new system is designed to promote transparency and social diversity but has angered many parents. Previously, schools could decide which children to take based on criteria such as academic achievement.

The Socialist-led government of Belgium's French-speaking community said the new system gave all children an equal chance to go to the best schools.