24 January marks International Education Day. It gives Valérie Glatigny, Minister of Education of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation, the opportunity to look back at her priorities, including the strengthening of basic learning.
In 2020, Belgium invested 6% of its GDP in education: 28% in primary, 45% in secondary and 26% in higher education. On average, this spending corresponds to funding of €15,279/year per pupil/student (across all education levels). This is higher than the OECD average of €11,762/year. Belgium is therefore among the leading countries and/or regions in terms of education investment.
Despite this significant investment and the dedication of our teachers, French-speaking pupils lag behind in international studies comparing their achievements in different subjects. Whether TIMSS (science and mathematics), PISA (mathematics, science and reading) or PIRLS (reading), pupils in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation are not performing well.
This finding should be seen as a warning sign requiring a swift response. “This must reinforce our determination to focus all our efforts on basic learning and, among other initiatives, to introduce the CLÉ test to assess the skills acquired in the third year of primary school, in order to detect any difficulties pupils may have as early as possible, but also to reassure pupils who have already acquired the necessary skills. The aim is to enable teachers to provide personalised support so that these difficulties do not worsen,” explains Valérie Glatigny.
Conditions conducive to success
But the measures envisaged by the Liberal minister don't stop there. In addition to the CLÉ test, the CEB will also be strengthened, while personalised support will be provided for pupils with specific needs. Language learning has not been forgotten either. To improve concentration and learning in the classroom, Valérie Glatigny has also banned recreational use of smartphones and connected devices at school, while work continues on adapting daily schedules to children's chronobiology.
Preparing for the digital transition
Finally, in a constantly changing world, the digital skills of teachers and pupils will be strengthened, notably through new skills frameworks developed for the common core curriculum, and thematic training offered to teachers so they can teach new technologies. These initiatives are all part of the Succeeding in the Digital Transition project.
The measures championed by Valérie Glatigny reflect a strong determination to turn the tide in education in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation. They aim not only to strengthen basic skills (reading, writing and arithmetic), but also to prepare pupils for the challenges of an ever-changing world. By focusing on basic learning, wellbeing at school, inclusion, languages and digital transition, the goal is to give every pupil the keys to succeed, flourish and become an active, skilled citizen. An investment in everyone's future!