The construction of the new GBS De Plataan school in Merchtem officially began on Friday, September 25, 2026, with the symbolic laying of the first stone. The municipal council is investing in a modern and sustainable learning environment.
During the ceremony, director Bart De Velder, alderman of Education Nathalie Hellinckx, mayor Maarten Mast, and project partners gave speeches. Students decorated stones that formed a symbolic wall, with the final stone placed by the mayor and the alderman.
The renovated school will accommodate 480 students and will become a full-fledged dual-stream school. In addition to modern classrooms, it will feature a sports hall accessible not only to the school but also to Merchtem associations and the local community.
The outdoor environment will also undergo a thorough makeover, transforming paved areas into a green, pleasant space focused on play, learning, and social interaction. The collaboration between the municipal council, GBS De Plataan, ZAmpone Architectuur, ARK Architecten, main contractor Jan De Nul, AGION, and the Flemish government aims to build a future-ready school.
