This conclave goes well beyond 2026: it is fundamental work for the entire legislature. It would be illusory to believe that the Federation can keep living beyond its means. That is why the government of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation has set a clear course: stabilising the budgetary trajectory by 2029, while preserving the Federation's essential missions.
The Federation is currently living on credit. It spends €15 billion against €13.5 billion in revenue, and even has to borrow to pay part of teachers' salaries. Without action, the deficit would have exceeded €1.6 billion by 2029. Thanks to the measures adopted, it will be stabilised at around €1.2 billion.
To achieve this, nearly €500 million in net structural savings will be made (€700 million in savings and €200 million in new policies) across all of the FWB's areas of competence. The goal is not to save at all costs, but to manage better: modernising structures, simplifying funding mechanisms and reinforcing what matters most: basic learning and the fight against the teacher shortage.
Under the initiative of Education Minister Valérie Glatigny, efforts focus first on modernising the teaching career and tackling the teacher shortage. Young teachers will receive a permanent contract from their first year by 2027, a reduced workload for training, and enhanced mentoring. Experienced teachers, meanwhile, will see their workload reduced towards the end of their career to support younger colleagues. In return, teaching time for upper secondary school teachers will increase from 20 to 22 periods, as is already the case for lower-level teachers.
New graduates (salary scale 401) will receive a 5% pay rise, as will school leaders and mentoring teachers under the RFIE (Reform of Initial Teacher Training).
The government has also chosen to strengthen basic learning: the introduction of the CLE test (Calculation, Reading, Writing) at the start of the fourth year of primary school, together with enhanced personalised support to address pupils' difficulties as quickly as possible (220 additional full-time equivalents dedicated to personalised support).
These choices reflect a clear philosophy: ensuring the viability of our education system without compromising its quality.