At Cité Germinal school in Gilly, the trip is the subject of almost every conversation. Some, like little Necim, are very excited about the prospect of getting on skis: "Yes, it's going to be great! I'm sure it's going to go well! I've already packed my suitcase and I'm really excited about leaving", others like Mélina are a little more apprehensive.Others, like Mélina, are a little more apprehensive: "At first, I didn't really want to go, but it was Mr. (the teacher) who motivated me. Now I can't wait, because I know it's going to be extraordinary". And indeed, the program will be packed: there will be skiing, of course, but also fun activities to discover the flora and fauna of the mountains.

Vincent Joachim, the teacher, has been going to Marcinelle-en-Montagne since 1992: "It's a wonderful initiative, because it gives children who may never have been outside Belgium the chance to take a trip they'll remember for the rest of their lives. So obviously, they're a bit dissipated before they leave, and it's clearly harder for them to concentrate during the lessons. But how can you blame them? What I do know is that they're going to have stars in their eyes as soon as we get up there".

All pupils in 6th grade in the town's local schools are invited to go. The cost of the trip is limited for families: "We ask parents to provide us with their tax form for the previous year, so that their financial contribution, which ranges from 112 euros to 560euros - there are several brackets in between - is in line with their financial capacity," explains Julie Patte, First Alderman of the City of Charleroi in charge of Education.

The mountain classes also represent a cost for the city: around 700,000 euros per year.

Source: www.rtbf.be/article