Preparing pupils for the challenges of the 21st century also means giving them the digital skills they will need throughout their lives. This is the ambition of Minister Valérie Glatigny and the Wallonia-Brussels Federation government, which continues to invest in supporting schools, teachers and pupils.
Concrete resources for schools
A total budget of just under €10 million is being invested in digital equipment for schools and pupils.
All schools will receive financial support to buy or renew their digital equipment. Each will receive a minimum of €1,000, with an additional amount calculated based on the number of pupils and the size of the school.
Schools that already have sufficient equipment will retain the option of using these funds for other operating expenses, ensuring flexible management adapted to needs on the ground.
At the same time, the “My digital tools” scheme is being maintained. It continues to support families with a €150 voucher towards the purchase of IT equipment in secondary education.
A comprehensive digital strategy
This investment is not an isolated measure. It is part of an ambitious policy led by Minister Valérie Glatigny to prepare young people to thrive in an increasingly digital world.
From next school year, all first-year secondary pupils will benefit from two weekly hours dedicated to digital skills as part of the new Manual, Technical, Technological and Digital Education course. Pupils will develop essential skills there: understanding digital tools, critical thinking about information, programming, cybersecurity and responsible use of technology.
The Wallonia-Brussels Federation is also acting on several other fronts:
- the launch of a pilot project on artificial intelligence in primary schools to explore the pedagogical benefits of these new tools;
- the development of ongoing training to help teachers adopt pedagogical uses of digital technology and artificial intelligence;
- the development of charters and recommendations to frame the responsible, ethical and secure use of digital tools in schools;
- support for schools in gradually integrating these new practices into learning.
Shaping tomorrow's citizens
Digital education is not just about buying equipment. Above all, it is about developing the skills that will enable pupils to understand technology, use it critically and responsibly, and seize the opportunities offered by innovations such as artificial intelligence.
We want a school system that fully prepares pupils for the challenges of today and tomorrow. That requires well-trained teachers, but also digital equipment that matches the ambitions we set for our education system.