The Government of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation has adopted at first reading a draft decree aimed at simplifying life for education teams by modernising administrative tools and making them more accessible. These measures form part of the “simplification shock” launched jointly by the Wallonia-Brussels Federation and the Walloon Region.
The result of consultation with unions, headteacher associations, federations of organising authorities, the administration and parents' associations, this first set of concrete measures directly addresses the needs expressed on the ground.
Simplification along five lines:
Clearer, less burdensome steering plans
Less paperwork for headteachers: the diagnosis goes from 15 themes to 5 key dimensions, with lighter data entry and more time to draw up the plans (150 days instead of 110). Evaluations are spaced out (3rd and 6th year) to allow better monitoring and more flexibility.
Digitalised procedures
Faster and cheaper online steps: appeals and exemption requests can now be submitted directly online, and opinions or decisions will be sent by email. The end of paper registered letters means time and money saved for both schools and families.
Faster decisions
Less waiting time for schools: thanks to greater delegation of powers to the administration (appointment of members of bodies, approval of study programmes, granting of subsidies), decisions can be made more quickly while remaining properly supervised.
More accessible and harmonised examination boards
Modernised boards with the removal of certain age conditions, clarification of access rules (the CE1D becomes a condition of access to the CE2D, access to upper secondary level), harmonisation of registration procedures and adaptation of French-language assessment. At the same time, a clear framework is being introduced for the protection of personal data (GDPR).
Other concrete measures
Clearer documents and lighter procedures with a single model of the upper secondary education certificate (CESS); appeals against decisions of class councils are simplified (it is now the administration that forwards files to schools); the rules in special education are harmonised.
And consultation with those on the ground will continue, with a new digital tool, “Simplifiez-vous”, to be launched from autumn 2025. It will allow headteachers and teachers to continuously report administrative red tape encountered and suggest improvements.
At the same time, a project to streamline business applications will be launched: more than 70 different applications are currently used by schools. The aim is to halve this number and offer a single platform, planned for 2027.
“With this first set of measures, we are sending a clear signal: less paperwork means more time for the classroom. These concrete simplifications will allow headteachers, teachers and education teams to focus more on what matters most: learning”, adds Valérie Glatigny, Minister of Education.
“Both at regional and federal community level, we have made a clear commitment: simplifying life for all citizens will be our absolute priority. This progress, driven by Valérie Glatigny, is further proof of that: less paperwork, more efficiency. Hand in hand with all ministers, we continue this work”, says the Minister for Administrative Simplification, Jacqueline Galant.