As protests continue against education reform, the French-speaking Community fast-tracks vote to approval
Despite protests that led to rioting yesterday in Brussels, the French-speaking Community has approved a package of budget cuts to education. A fast track procedure was used, causing consternation among the members of the French-speaking parliament’s budget committee, who called the vote undemocratic.
The legislation includes several changes to French-speaking secondary education in Belgium, including:
Teachers of the fourth, fifth and sixth years will have to teach two more hours a week (22 hours instead of 20) for the same pay
No more tenure track for teachers hired from September 2027 onward
New teachers to receive a full-time contract right away, potentially requiring them to give lessons in multiple schools or in subjects for which they are not trained
Teachers returning to work following a serious illness will only be allowed to work half time for a two-year period, not indefinitely like now
Fees that universities can charge students will rise to €1,194 per year
Protests by unions, teachers and students in Brussels yesterday turned ugly, with vandalism and confrontations with police. Local protests are continuing today, with the mayor of Namur asking parents to keep their children home from school. At least two schools designed to remain closed today.
The measure also include more possible changes, such as more pay for new teachers and directors and €25 million earmarked for individualised curricula for primary school pupils who need special attention.