2025
STEM Agenda 2030
The new Flemish Government continues the STEM Agenda 2030, focusing on increasing enrolment in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education and careers, strengthening STEM expertise, and enhancing STEM literacy across society. The agenda prioritises societal challenges and collaboration with other policy areas. In 2025, measurable objectives will be established (as outlined in the coalition agreement). Additionally, the second edition of the STEM Monitor will be published in the first half of 2025, reporting on revised indicators and corresponding targets. The interactive STEM dashboard, published in 2024, will also be regularly updated with the latest statistical data.
Digisprong 2.0 and Other Digital Initiatives
Flanders continues to invest in digital infrastructure to support the digital transformation of education. Schools will receive additional ICT funding, focusing on infrastructure. Teachers, school leaders, and ICT coordinators will receive further professional development. Schools are required to develop digitalisation policies. All digital projects and programmes will be evaluated to assess how well these investments contribute to strategic objectives.
Investing in Educational Infrastructure
Flanders remains committed to educational infrastructure investments. The fourth edition of the capacity monitor (see below, 2021) will provide an updated projection of capacity needs for the 2031-2032 school year. Based on this, a plan will be developed for allocating capacity funds for 2026-2028.
The minister monitors the progress of approved capacity projects and assesses whether capacity funding should be reallocated or increased to accelerate the planned additional capacity. Additional investments will be made to modernise and replace existing school buildings to provide an optimal learning environment.
The ‘Schools of Flanders’ investment programme, worth €1 billion, continues, aiming to implement a new Design, Build, Finance, and Maintain (DBFM) programme. The existing ‘Schools of Tomorrow’ DBFM programme will be fully executed, while smaller project-specific DBFM agreements will also proceed. Preparations are underway for recurring DBFM programmes to further support school boards.
2024
The measures introduced in 2023 have been further implemented in 2024. You can find all updates and refinements in the 2023 text. Additionally, new initiatives that were launched in late 2024 are covered under the 2025 heading.
For the most up-to-date information, please refer to the relevant sections.
2023
Digisprong
The importance of the digitalization of education became clear through the corona pandemic. It is the ambition of the Flemish Ministry of Education and Training to strengthen the digital competencies of all learners, from primary school child to adult. From a strong Flemish e-inclusion policy, special attention is also given to vulnerable target groups. The measures and actions to facilitate distance learning are framed within the recovery plan and the pursuit of digital inclusion.
Efforts are being made on 5 fronts for an accelerated digitization policy:
- A digital friendly government;
- ICT infrastructure;
- ICT vision and school policy;
- Digital teaching materials;
- ICT skills.
A strong ICT infrastructure and development of an ICT vision and school policy are considered prerequisites for digital acceleration and development of an ICT vision and school policy. To further develop ICT skills among teachers and in school teams in compulsory and adult education, including through additional colored in-service training resources and by funding so-called IT bootcamps for teachers and ICT coordinators. We also envision a tool, Digisnap, that will allow teachers to scale their digital skills. This tool will also be linked to a new training database.
The digital transformation of Flemish education is a complex process. In order to coordinate and support the many diverse actions and projects in the field of education from the same framework, a knowledge and advice center is being established.
Efforts are also being made to strengthen the role of ICT coordinators and the transformation to ICT teams in schools. There is further provision for a sustainability strategy whereby schools can have outdated ICT infrastructure refurbished or decommissioned. Other upcoming elements include a vision trail around Artificial Intelligence in education and a cybersecurity support program.
ICT Policy Plan
The importance of the digitization of education was highlighted by the corona pandemic. It is the ambition of the Flemish Ministry of Education and Training to strengthen the digital competencies of all learners, from primary school child to adult. From a strong Flemish e-inclusion policy, special attention is also given to vulnerable target groups. The measures and actions to facilitate distance learning are framed within the recovery plan and the pursuit of digital inclusion.
Efforts are being made on 5 fronts for an accelerated digitization policy:
- A digital friendly government;
- ICT infrastructure;
- ICT vision and school policy;
- Digital teaching materials;
- ICT skills.
A strong ICT infrastructure and development of schools' ICT vision and policies are considered basic prerequisites for digital acceleration and development of schools' ICT vision and policies. To further develop ICT skills among teachers and in school teams in compulsory and adult education, existing initiatives will be strengthened and IT bootcamps for teachers and ICT coordinators will be organized.
The digital transformation of Flemish education is a complex process. In order to coordinate and support the many diverse actions and projects in the field of education from the same framework, a knowledge and advice center will be established.
Efforts are also being made to strengthen the role of ICT coordinators and the transformation to ICT teams in schools. There is further provision for a sustainability strategy whereby schools can have outdated ICT infrastructure refurbished or decommissioned. Other upcoming elements are a vision trail around Artificial Intelligence in education and a cybersecurity support program.