The education system in the Belgian French Community (Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles)

General overview The education system Steering of the education system and the decree « Missions » Structure of the education system in WBF Education in WBF and Technical and Vocational Training : Full-time secondary education Dual Vocational Education and Training Social Advancement Education Advanced Technologies Centers Questions and answers

1. The education system Some figures : Total budget of the WBF : 8,8 billion euros of which some 70% for education (6,1 billion) of which 85,5% for teacher’s salaries Compulsory education : 988 000 pupils 110 000 teachers 2839 schools

Two fundamental freedoms in the Belgian Constitution : freedom of choice and freedom of organisation in education  Education system characterised by coexisting education networks, depending on the organising authority. Those are either public or grant-aided.

2. Steering of the education system Early 90’s : international surveys (OECD, PISA) show important educational disparities in the system Reforms aimed at more equity and efficiency in the system : decree « Missions », reform of teachers initial and continued training, Steering Committee…

24/07/97 : Decree on the missions of schools - Objectives of compulsory education (art.6): Promote self-confidence and the development of each student as an individual; Enable all students to assimilate knowledge and acquire the competencies that qualify them to learn throughout their lives and play an active role in economic, social, and cultural life; Prepare all students to be responsible citizens that are capable of contributing to the development of a society that is democratic, cohesive, pluralist, and open to other cultures; Ensure equal opportunities to all students as regards their social emancipation.

Structures for achieving those objectives : Promotion of success at school Competency frameworks Participation council (internal structure of schools with representatives of school head, teachers, parents, and pupils) 27/03/2002 : decree on steering Implementation of the « missions » decree Intended to improve efficency and equity in the system after OECD and PISA surveys Set up a Steering Committee (common for all education networks) Set up indicators for the system External evaluations etc.

3. Structure of the education system in WBF: Compulsory and free of charge until 18 years old Basic education Pre-primary school : 2,5 – 6 years old Primary school : 6 - 12 years old Secondary education Common 1st level (2 years) for pupils holding the certificate of primary education. Differentiated first level organised for the others. 2nd and 3rd levels : - Transition stream : general, technical or artistical - Qualification stream : technical, vocational or artistical Dual vocational education and training Higher education (short term : 3 or 4 years or long term : min 5 years) Social Advancement Education : all levels : from CEB to Master

4. Education in WBF and technical and vocational training Full-time education : 40 sem/an 2nd and 3rd levels : Transition stream : general, technical or artistical : 28 to 36h/week Qualification stream : technical, vocational or artistical : 30 to 36h/week The contents of the technical training are determined on base of jobs profiles, in terms of skills.

Transition stream (general, technical or artistical) General education : no technical courses Technical or artistical education in the transition stream : few technical courses : 7 to 11h/week no training courses

Qualification stream (technical, vocational or artistical) Technical or artistical education in the qualification stream : Technical courses : 14 to 18h/week Training courses at 3rd level Vocational education : Technical courses and courses of professional practice : 16 to 22h/week

Certificates EVERY student gets the CESS (the upper secondary education certificate : access to higher education) after the 6 years of studies or after the 7th year in vocational education Furthermore, the students in the qualification stream get a Qualification Certificate (access to the profession for the regulated occupations)

Dual Vocational Education and Training (decree of 3rd July 1991) wants to offer young people an alternative to traditional education forms of full-time education: combine general education (about 15 hours at school) and professional practice. Job contract is compulsory In a CEFA (Centre d’Education et de formation en Alternance) Validation of learning outcomes and skills.

Social Advancement Education (decree of 16th April 1991) Education system with modules Lifelong learning Wide range of training (secondary or higher education) adults (but the minimum age can be 15) Organised in day-time or shifts Validation of learning outcomes and skills Certificates : from CEB to Master, as well as professionalizing bachelors.

5. CTA (Advanced Technologies Centers) Advanced equipements Trainings for students, teachers, job seekers, workers Inter-network structure Link with professionnal sectors

5. Questions ? …Thank you for your attention.