Reforms in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation are numerous: Education, Culture, Civil Service. From neutrality in schools to senior civil service managers, through local media and the common core curriculum. Since the MR became the leading French-speaking party, ambitious and necessary reforms have been undertaken to put French-speaking Belgium back on track. The WBF has finally regained control of its budget and is investing in the key sectors that matter to all Walloons and Brussels residents.
1. Reforms of Education and Adult Education: Valérie Glatigny
a. Draft Programme Decree No. 2 on substantial measures related to the 2026 budget decisions
Reform:
- Increase in teaching hours for upper secondary teachers (2 additional periods).
- Adjustment of early- and end-of-career arrangements (reduction of two periods).
- Limitation of therapeutic part-time work to 2 years over the entire career, except in cases of serious illness.
- Maximum 3 days per year without a medical certificate (except in cases of serious illness: 12 days).
- Revision of salary in case of illness (60% except for serious and long-term illness).
- Reduction of network/CSA resources (30% decrease).
- Salary scale revaluation for teachers/school leaders (creation of a minimum 25% pay differential).
- Increase in higher education tuition fees.
Timing: Entry into force: most measures at the start of the 2026-2027 school year (others in 2027-2028).
b. Neutrality in education
Reform:
Ban on wearing visible ideological or religious symbols for staff members of schools subject to the neutrality principle (official network and non-denominational free network that has adopted the principle), on and off school premises as well as at internship locations.
Timing: Entry into force: 2027-2028 school year.
c. Code for Education Staff (CDIE)
Reform:
Harmonisation of statutes to streamline and simplify careers, particularly at the start. Guarantee of a full-time workload for a majority of staff members from the start of employment.
The text provides for the end of statutory appointments, conditional on the federated entities being able to bear comparable employer contributions for contract staff.
Timing: Entry into force: 2027-2028 school year.
d. Common core curriculum
Reform:
Defining pathways depending on whether or not the CEB is obtained, in both mainstream and special education. End of automatic appeals by parents, now limited to CEB award decisions.
Timing: Entry into force: 2026-2027 school year.
e. First year of secondary education
Reform:
- Strengthening cooperation between primary and secondary school teachers.
- Increased support for struggling students.
- Harmonisation of assessment practices.
- Placing digital technology at the heart of learning.
Timing: Entry into force: 2026-2027 school year.
f. Raising the pass thresholds for external assessments
Reform:
Raising the pass threshold for the CEB, CE1D and CESS exams to 60% from June 2027.
Timing: Entry into force: 2026-2027 school year.
g. Conditions for obtaining the nursing bachelor's degree
Reform:
Gradual phase-out of the hospital nursing certificate and creation of the higher education certificate for nursing assistants.
Timing: Entry into force: 2026-2027 school year.
h. Second and third years of secondary education
Reform:
In the second year: consolidation of fundamental learning, digital skills and two additional orientation days.
In the third year: a certifying orientation track occupying a significant part of the curriculum.
Timing: Entry into force: 2027-2028 school year.
2. Reform of the civil service and the media: Jacqueline Galant
a. Digital cooperation agreement between the Walloon Region and the WBF
Reform:
Modernising and structuring joint action to strengthen the digital skills of pupils, learners and education staff.
Timing: Vote in Parliament expected in June.
b. Senior managers
Reform:
New appointment procedure with assessment. Salary revaluation and possibility of bonuses to attract private-sector profiles.
Timing: Publication in the Official Gazette expected in April/May.
c. Advisory bodies: Higher Council for Sport
Reform:
Specialisation of opinions, reduction in the number of members and creation of a mobilisable expert group.
d. Media freedom
Reform:
Transposition of a European regulation strengthening pluralism and independence.
e. Local media
Reform:
Creation of six geographic media hubs with gradual implementation until 2031.
3. Reforms of Higher Education and Culture: Elisabeth Degryse
a. Higher education
Reform:
- Clarifying pass criteria.
- Framing the academic pace.
- Redefining the missions of the ARES.
- Moving the veterinary entrance exam to before the first year.
Timing: First reading in the first quarter of 2026.
b. School buildings
Reform:
- Eligibility conditions.
- Structural and non-structural projects.
- Agreements and disbursement.
- Prioritisation tools.
Timing: Entry into force expected in June 2026.
c. Artistic distribution
Reform:
Alignment with current priorities, distinction between professional and amateur practices, simplification of labelling and extension to young-audience centres.
d. Amateur artists
Reform:
Flat-rate subsidies, automatic recognition of distributors, disciplinary panels and a minimum budget of €100,000 in 2026.
Timing: Second reading expected in the first quarter of 2026.