Flemish Government Put Light on Green for new minimum goals for primary education: umbrella organizations “Carefully positive”

The new goals will start from September, but schools will have extra time to adjust their curricula.

The current minimum goals in primary education – which prescribe what students should know at least and can in kindergarten and primary education – date from 1997 and have been in need of innovation for some time.

It is also no secret that Minister of Education Zuhal Demir wants to set speed behind the entire operation. With the bad scores of Flemish education in mind, she has been insisting on the need for urgent interventions. Demir has now already received the green light on the Council of Ministers for her vision note.

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“Kennisrijk Curriculum”

What is it in that bill? The common thread is the focus on a 'Kennisrijk curriculum'. “With the plans that have now been approved, we opt for a clear and clear curriculum based on knowledge. Such a Kennisrijk curriculum has already turned the tide in other countries and we can do that in Flanders too, ”the minister is committed.

The minister wants to link the minimum goals to three moments or benchmarks in the school career of the toddlers and children. For example, the minimum goals in the third kindergarten and the fourth grade will be binding on the schools. Also in the sixth grade the goals are binding and the goals for Dutch and maths will « be the bar for the students ».

“All important international measurements are done in the fourth grade. Look at the Timess results for example. Flanders came out particularly badly, both for mathematics and for science. It is also only logical that we then intervene, with clear goals in the fourth year, then schools can remedy two years if there are problems. Now there is a hole and we are working that, « says Demir.

With regard to the third kindergarten class, there will be a test with the focus on three domains: vocabulary, listening skills and numbers theory. The planned test will be scientifically substantiated.

Expert's panel

An expert panel led by Daniel Muijs must now shape the minimum goals in concrete terms. The educational umbrella organizations, the school directors and the teachers are also involved in the exercise. But instead of a whole series of separate committees (as in the past), the minister wants to work with one advisory body. That way she wants to keep a tight pace. « The urgency is high, because our quality of education is in free fall, » it sounds.

The new minimum goals will be introduced from September 2025. On that tight timing, much criticism has come from the education field in recent times. According to the plans, schools now have a year to adjust their curricula for the subjects of Dutch, mathematics and sciences. All other curricula must be ready by 1 September 2027 at the latest.