2026

Extension of compulsory schooling to age 18

From the 2026/2027 school year, compulsory schooling in Luxembourg is extended from 16 to 18 years old. This measure aims to reduce early school leaving by allowing students to remain in education longer and improve their chances of success. It applies to young people who have not yet reached the age of 17 by 1 September 2026.

2025

Stricter regulation of smartphone use in secondary schools

Since June 2025, Luxembourg secondary schools have implemented new rules to limit smartphone use. A mandatory separation between students and their phones is enforced during lessons, while some schools have introduced additional restrictions or even a total ban. The aim is to improve concentration, reduce exposure to inappropriate content, and encourage social interaction. At the same time, the use of digital tools such as Wi-Fi and iPads is more strictly regulated.

‘Screen-Life-Balance’ campaign

At the start of the 2024/2025 school year, the Ministry of Education, Children and Youth launched the ‘Screen-Life-Balance’ campaign to address the growing negative impact of screens and social media on young people’s well-being and development. 

The main objective of this campaign is to reduce screen time and encourage a healthier balance between digital and real life. In this context, new Grand-ducal Regulations have come into force to strictly limit the use of connected devices at school.

Since 2 June 2025, secondary schools have been required to ensure a physical separation between pupils and their smartphones during lessons. Each school must establish a charter, in consultation with the school community, setting out the terms of this measure as well as any additional restrictions.

New sections in secondary education

Announced in March 2025, the following new sections have been introduced at the start of the 2025/2026 academic year:

• The ‘Music production” section’ (GMP) prepares pupils for careers in music and events. It provides opportunities to learn sound recording and mixing techniques. The programme also includes an introduction to the workings of the cultural and music industries, the fundamentals of music theory, and the mathematical and physical principles necessary for understanding music.
• The ‘Economic affairs’ (GAE) section focuses on the fundamental principles of economics and business creation, as well the development of entrepreneurial skills. One day per week is dedicated to entrepreneurship, giving students the opportunity to work on practical and innovative projects. Students will also have the opportunity to meet local entrepreneurs in practical workshops, conferences and case studies.
• The ‘Data literacy’ (GDL) section equips students with the ability to take a critical approach to data, enabling them to make informed decisions and contribute to the development of solutions to challenges in a wide range of fields.  Data literacy involves not only the ability to collect, read, understand, analyse and interpret data, but also the capacity to understand how data are used, to assess their reliability and credibility, and to recognise the biases and risks associated with their use.

2024

New section in general secondary education

For the start of the 2024/25 academic year, the range of courses on offer continues to be diversified. 

• The ‘Health Sciences’ section (GSH) offers specialisation in human biology, medical sciences, pharmacology and medical physics and chemistry. It also prepares students for the professions of laboratory technician, medical assistant in radiology, hospital biomedical engineer, physiotherapist, psychomotor therapist, nurse, midwife and dietician.  
  The section is now also offered from 4th year onwards. Previously, students could only enrol from 2nd year onwards, after having completed two years in the health and social professions section.
• The N 'entrepreneurship, finance and marketing', P 'cognitive sciences and humanities' and R 'politics and sustainable development' sections offered by some schools since the start of the 2023 academic were given a legal basis at the end of July 2024.

New prospects for the teaching profession

The government's programme provides for an increase in the capacity of teacher training courses, as well as measures that will require an increase in the number of teaching staff. For example, from as of the 2024/25 academic year, teacher trainings are offered at three sites in Luxembourg to make it even more accessible.  

The teacher training programme includes extended courses and is based on four core areas: culture, socialisation, communication and citizenship education; educational and social intervention in the context of development and training processes; organisational and institutional development; and personal development.