The Government of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation, on a proposal from Education Minister Valérie Glatigny, has approved a preliminary draft decree clarifying the principle of neutrality in education, which will come into force next September. This fundamental principle guarantees every pupil the opportunity to learn in a school environment protected from any religious or political pressure.
The text notably enshrines neutrality in appearance by banning the wearing of visible religious or ideological signs for all staff in institutions where neutrality applies. This rule concerns teachers, management, educators, and administrative, paramedical or technical staff. It also extends to boarding schools, PMS centres (psycho-medico-social centres) and outdoor centres attached to these schools. It applies to officially organised and subsidised education, as well as to non-denominational free education that has chosen to adhere to the principle of neutrality.
The aim is to preserve a shared learning space where no religious, philosophical or political belief is imposed on pupils.
The ban covers all visible religious or ideological signs, whether clothing or accessories expressing a religious, ideological, philosophical or political belief. By targeting all signs without distinction, the decree aims to guarantee complete neutrality in appearance. This approach is based on the principle that school staff represent the public institution and must therefore be, and appear, neutral. An exception is nonetheless provided for teachers of religion and ethics, solely within the context of the lessons they teach. This exception ceases as soon as they perform another role or teach another subject at the institution. It respects freedom of worship and is in line with the case law of the Council of State.
Regarding pupils, an inventory will be drawn up of the permissions and bans set out in schools' internal regulations.
Beyond the issue of religious signs, the decree also modernises how knowledge is taught. It removes a 1994 provision requiring teaching “in terms that cannot offend any pupil”. This provision sometimes led teachers to self-censor, for fear of upsetting certain sensitivities. According to the Respect Barometer, 62% of teachers say they have self-censored over the past five years. The reform therefore clearly reaffirms the right and duty to teach all knowledge objectively, in line with official curricula.
Situations where knowledge is challenged can affect many subjects: science, history, philosophy, languages or the arts. Some teachers now hesitate to cover Darwin's theory of evolution, to show certain works of art, to display a reproductive organ or to discuss the Holocaust, for fear of pressure from pupils, parents or sometimes colleagues.
To support the implementation of the reform, a support plan will be offered to education teams. It will include training for management and teachers, the provision of teaching and mediation tools, as well as a circular reminding staff of existing resources and the legal framework. The General Inspectorate will also monitor compliance with the principle of neutrality in schools and will submit a report every two years.
Neutrality does not undermine freedom of conscience: on the contrary, it aims to protect it. It is obviously not about banning belief or non-belief, but about ensuring that schools remain places of emancipation and knowledge, where everyone can learn and teach in peace, free from identity-based pressure. Neutrality thus remains the guarantee of everyone's freedom.