“The solution advocated by the signatories of the open letter is found in the circular of 8 April on the role of examination boards and higher education institutions”
The Minister for Higher Education, Françoise Bertieaux, has taken note of the statement from the signatories of the open letter, which brought together more than 1,800 professors, assistants and educational advisers in support of maintaining the reform of the Landscape Decree.
“I hear the solution they are proposing, and I already want to thank them for their unwavering support in preserving the quality of our higher education. Their undeniable expertise on the ground and their tireless commitment are reassuring at a time when misinformation tends to take over in this matter. In reality, the decree makes it possible to analyse each student's profile individually, which is all the more essential during this transition. The circular sent on 8 April to all higher education institutions specifically emphasised the role of examination boards in assessing students' academic progress. And therefore, the ability to allow students on a successful track to continue their studies while remaining eligible for funding. This role of the examination boards comes into play at every deliberation, precisely in June and September, with full knowledge of everyone's results”, recalls Françoise Bertieaux.
“But today, any debate on a possible amendment of the decree would lead either to a return to a system that has already shown all its shortcomings, as proposed by the PTB; or to a dangerous unravelling, in terms of balance and fairness, which in no way allows the specific situation of each student to be taken into account, as proposed by PS-Ecolo”, insists Minister Bertieaux.
Thus, the circular of 8 April 2024 “Deliberations 2023-2024: information for examination boards on funding eligibility 2024-2025” explicitly states:
Exception rule: Article 140 of the Landscape Decree
The examination board may also, at its own discretion, declare a student to have passed a teaching unit, all units taken during an academic year, or a study cycle, even if the criteria referred to in
Article 139 of the Landscape Decree are not met. The examination board may award the credits associated with a teaching unit despite an assessment below 10/20, where the shortfall is acceptable given the overall results.
Exception rule: Article 96, §1, first paragraph, 3°, of the Landscape Decree
Students who, despite the application of the rules mentioned below, would remain ineligible for funding for enrolment in the 2024-2025 academic year may still request enrolment at a higher education institution. Institutions may accept or, by a reasoned decision, refuse the enrolment of students who are not eligible for funding. They determine in their general study regulations (RGE) the procedure for enrolment requests, as well as the appeal procedures in the event of a refusal of enrolment.
Furthermore, with regard to students in transition, particular attention should be given to them ahead of their entry into the new rules at the start of the 2024-2025 academic year. Taking into account the situations outlined below, and the milestones they will need to have reached by the start of the 2024-2025 academic year, the examination board may, at its own discretion and depending on individual situations, invoke Article 140 of the Landscape Decree during the deliberations at the end of the 2023-2024 academic year. This will be done in light of the broader situation regarding the student's academic progress.