Belgian education is set for a potential change as Flemish Minister of Education Zuhal Demir (N-VA) proposes adjusting the school calendar. The idea is to start the school year on a Monday and finish on a Friday, aiming for a more structured and efficient schedule. On 2025-06-24 12:37:00, Demir shared her vision during an interview on Radio2’s ‘Goeiemorgen Morgen!’.
- Start school year on Monday, end on Friday
- Begin school year late August, end early July
- Prevent early home stays from mid-June
- Focus on secondary education students
- Promote structured school calendar planning
One key proposal is for the school year to begin in late August and end by early July, preventing secondary school students from having long breaks starting mid-June. Could this shift improve learning outcomes and reduce early summer downtime? It raises questions about how Belgian schools might adapt to such a change.
With this in mind, what impact will these calendar adjustments have on students, teachers, and families across Belgium? Let’s explore the main points behind Minister Demir’s proposal.
Why does this matter? Aligning the school year to full weeks could streamline scheduling and improve attendance. Additionally, ending the year later may keep students engaged longer and reduce early summer learning loss. However, questions remain about its feasibility and reception.
- Starting on a Monday and ending on a Friday ensures consistent weekly routines.
- Ending the school year by early July prevents secondary students from being off from mid-June.
- The proposed schedule could align better with holiday planning for families.
- Teachers may need to adjust lesson plans to fit the new timeline.
As Belgium considers these changes, stakeholders should weigh the benefits of a more structured calendar against practical challenges. Will this reform become the new norm? Belgian schools and families will soon have to adapt and prepare for possible shifts in the academic year.
