The Flemish majority parties CD&V and Open VLD doubt the usefulness of minimum targets in nursery education. This became apparent on Wednesday in the Flemish Parliament during questions from Koen Daniëls (N-VA), Hannelore Goeman (Vooruit) and Jean-Jacques De Gucht (Open VLD).
In July 2023, the Flemish government commissioned new minimum targets for primary education, in which at least half of the teaching time would be spent on mathematics and Dutch. There also had to be minimum targets for preschoolers. The current goals date from 1997 and are in need of renewal.
Ten months later, a proposal with 172 new minimum targets is on the table. However, Weyts announced this week that the bar must be raised. The proposal does not yet contain minimum targets for preschoolers and there is also no guarantee that at least half of the teaching time in primary education will be devoted to Dutch and mathematics, the minister said. The approval of the goals will no longer be before this legislature.
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However, with the exception of N-VA, all parties doubt the usefulness of minimum targets for preschoolers. “We always think it is important that everything is scientifically validated,” said Loes Vandromme of CD&V. “Do you have scientific evidence that final objectives must be achieved in nursery education? I do not think so.”
Jean-Jacques De Gucht (Open VLD) cited the advice of the Flemish Education Council (Vlor). “The Vlor is not in favor of minimum goals, but advocates development goals to be pursued,” he said. “The educational umbrella organizations, in turn, have already pointed out the major differences between children born at the beginning or at the end of the year.”
“Ms Vandromme, the minimum goals for preschoolers have been agreed within the government,” replied Education Minister Ben Weyts (N-VA). “If what is delivered does not meet this requirement, we say: no, sorry, just carry on. The timing is secondary to the final result.”
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