Open VLD and CD&V are not happy with Weyts’ approach: new final objectives for primary education postponed

Before the elections, there will be no agreement on the new minimum goals or final objectives in primary education. Open VLD chairman Tom Ongena emphasized this at an education debate in Antwerp. It is a strong message from the liberals, because these goals are the spearhead in the policy of Minister of Education Ben Weyts (N-VA). They determine what children in kindergarten and primary school should at least know and be able to do, including in the areas of mathematics and Dutch.

The file ended up on the government table last Friday after a year of work by various committees of experts. The finish line in the file was in sight, the various partners involved emphasized, but there were still a few knots to be untangled. For example, the final proposal did not contain any binding final objectives for nursery education. This clashed with Weyts’ vision, and the minister took over the file.

Weyts previously stated in the media that there would certainly be binding goals for toddlers. However, both experts and educational providers are not in favor of this, partly because evolution in preschoolers occurs in leaps and bounds and is not linear.

Trot through parliament

Because the timing was tight – the last session of parliament is on May 8 – Ongena now announces that the new goals for primary education will be parked. The Liberals have no desire to rush the important file through Parliament. “We must conduct this fundamental debate thoroughly and let parliament play its role,” he stressed.

With its communication, Open VLD resolutely favors quality over speed. This is striking, because in recent years the liberals have accused the Catholic umbrella organization, among others, of delaying the introduction of new minimum goals for primary education. Open VLD thus also prevents a possible solo move by Weyts.

Coalition partner CD&V is also “not amused” that Weyts has taken over the file and is not following the advice. “We continue to believe in the functioning of the committees,” emphasizes Flemish Member of Parliament and education expert Loes Vandromme. “We also continue to ask the minister where the scientific evidence is for binding targets for toddlers, but he avoids that question.”

Weyts responds through his spokesperson that the liberals’ communication is in line with his communication earlier this week. Weyts then said that it is “better to work a little longer on minimum goals that are sufficiently ambitious, rather than being satisfied too quickly.”

The minimum objectives in primary education are the last major dossier from the Minister of Education. They had to save their honor after the particularly difficult course of achieving the final objectives in the second and third grades of secondary education. In June 2022, those final objectives were annulled, after Catholic education went to the Constitutional Court. According to the Court, they were too extensive and detailed. Then major adjustments had to be made.

New government

It is unclear how to proceed in the file. The decision threatens to once again bring uncertainty to education. The new final objectives must come into effect on September 1, 2025. If the next government negotiations drag on for a long time, the introduction could be jeopardized. “We hope that the approval and implementation of these minimum goals will be delayed as little as possible, so that the educational field is not plunged into uncertainty,” says Lieven Boeve, CEO of Catholic education.

The education providers are extremely disappointed. “Not achieving the minimum primary education goals just before the finish line is a missed opportunity,” says Walentina Cools, CEO of urban and municipal education (OVSG). “It is perfectly feasible to still process the comments from the validation committee,” she says. “The current final objectives date from 1997 – a very different time in so many ways. If we want quality and up-to-date primary education, innovation is really necessary.”

What should happen now is a question mark. Does the entire plan have to go back to the drawing board? Whether a newly formed parliament will approve the file is an even bigger question. In addition to the N-VA, CD&V and Open VLD are also aiming for the post of Minister of Education.

“We are continuing to work and will soon come up with a new set of ambitious minimum targets. Then it is up to politics,” said Boeve.