2025

Introduction of position or hour capital for special purposes

Since 1 September 2025, schools have been able to apply for position or hour capital for special purposes in teaching. 

The capital can be applied for a limited period and used exclusively for the following purposes:

1. Support for pupils with special needs.
2. Promotion of inclusion in kindergartens and primary schools.
3. Support for gifted pupils.
4. Implementation of foreign language projects and language courses.
5. Organisation of homework supervision and remedial classes.
6. Educational and administrative tasks.
7. Projects for the healthy development of children and young people.
8. Restructuring measures that save costs in the long term.
9. Pilot projects commissioned by the government.
10. Arts and IT projects as well as other educational projects.

Recognition of equivalent professional experience for lateral entrants

Lateral entrants who do not possess the required qualifications can regularise their employment status in certain recruitment positions within the education sector by completing three ‘deviations’. One deviation is defined as employment of at least 15 weeks in a relevant position within the German-speaking Community. These three deviations must be completed within five consecutive school years.

To make the teaching profession more attractive, from 1 November 2025, employment under the BVA statute as well as outside the education system organised by the German-speaking Community will also be recognised as the first and second deviations, provided the person has not yet completed three deviations in the relevant position. However, the third deviation must still take place in an educational institution within the German-speaking Community and will be jointly assessed by the school management and the school inspectorate.

Certain conditions apply for recognising employment outside the German-speaking Community: it must have taken place in a recognised educational institution within the EU, be comparable to the education system of the German-speaking Community, and cannot be counted as an internship or voluntary work. Only one deviation can be recognised per school year, and recognition must be requested from the education administration by submitting an application with the appropriate evidence.

Adjustment of the legal basis for re-enrolment of home-schooled pupils due to failure to obtain qualifications within the prescribed periods

Previously, home-schooled pupils were required to take exams at certain times to obtain the primary school leaving certificate and the lower secondary school leaving certificate. It was possible to extend the deadlines by up to two years under certain conditions. In some cases, this led to pupils aged 16 not having received the primary school leaving certificate, as the decree stipulated that only pupils who, in the year they turn 14, did not take the exams or failed twice must be re-enrolled. If the exams were first taken at age 14, they could be retaken the following year. Re-enrolling a 15- or 16-year-old without a primary school leaving certificate is problematic.

To address this issue, as of 1 September 2025, a young person will be automatically re-enrolled if they have not received the primary school leaving certificate in the year they turn 14, regardless of how many times they have taken the exams. An exception applies if they are granted an exemption. The same principle applies to the lower secondary school leaving certificate, which must be obtained by the age of 17.

2024

Creation of the position of specialist music teacher in primary education

As of 1 September 2024, the position of specialist music teacher was introduced in primary education. This role, distinct from that of kindergarten and primary teachers, allows specialist music teachers to lead musical activities in kindergartens and provide progressive music lessons across the three stages of primary school. This enhances the quality of music education and reduces the workload of class teachers. The progressive music lessons focus on developing metric, rhythmic, tonal, and vocal skills through diverse musical activities, skill-building, and cultural exploration. Singing in various languages also supports the development of expressive abilities and positively impacts speech therapy.

 2023

Reduction of school attendance costs

Following two surveys on school attendance costs in secondary schools in the German-speaking Community, from the 2023–2024 school year onwards, all secondary schools receive an annually indexed subsidy of 100 euros per enrolled secondary pupil. This subsidy is intended to cover the costs of copies distributed to pupils, expenses for the school diary, and costs related to diploma issuance. From the 2023–2024 school year, these costs may no longer be passed on to the parents or guardians.

Schoolwork

In its scientific analysis of the education system in East Belgium last year, the OECD found that the education system of the German-speaking Community has a “very pronounced” homework culture compared to other systems. Many parents also desire more childcare facilities. In a 2019 survey on the vision for East Belgium’s education system, 57 percent of respondents supported stronger homework supervision. Based on these findings and the recommendations of homework researcher Dr Moroni from the Bern University of Teacher Education, a legal framework has now been created within which schools can operate.   

Two measures have been introduced for managing schoolwork: 

1) Since 1 September, there is a maximum daily duration that a pupil in primary school should spend on schoolwork. 

This duration increases with the pupil’s age from the first to the final stage of primary school: 

• 15 minutes in years 1 and 2
• 20 minutes in years 3 and 4
• 30 minutes in years 5 and 6

These time limits do not apply to secondary schools. 

2) From 2024: free homework supervision at schools

As a second step, all pupils will be given access to free homework supervision in the interest of educational equality.