Education minister proposes lower fees for adult language courses
Flemish minister of education Zuhal Demir (N-VA) has proposed lowering registration fees for French, English and German courses in adult education. She announced on Monday that courses offered at adult education centres (CVOs) would be charged at the standard fee of 2.25 EUR per lesson, down from the current 4 EUR.
“Languages like French, English, and German are important in our labour market,” Demir said. “In an open economy like Flanders, many employers expect employees to speak multiple languages. By making these courses more affordable, we lower the threshold for people who want to increase their job prospects.”
Students entitled to a reduced rate, such as job seekers or other vulnerable groups, will continue to pay 1 EUR per lesson. A maximum invoice of 450 EUR per semester will also apply. The minister said the change refines the adult education reform, which focuses on courses that contribute directly to the labour market. She also plans to eventually make registration fees income-based rather than tied to specific status categories to ensure fairness for low-income learners.
Well-received by other parties
The proposal has received support across the political spectrum. MP Hannelore Goeman (Vooruit) said: “Adult education is a way for many people to get ahead in life and to progress to another job… We are therefore pleased that minister Demir is now responding to our request to make language courses cheaper as well.”
Coalition partner CD&V also welcomed the adjustment. Flemish MP An Christiaens said: “This isn’t about luxury courses, but about basic skills that are essential for many people: for work, to help their children at school, or to feel stronger in life… The minister wasn’t interested at the time, but we are pleased that there is progress and adjustments are now being made. This is the only right choice.”
Teachers' council
In addition to the adult education proposal, Demir reiterated her plans for a “teachers’ council” to address the administrative and planning burdens in schools. Speaking in an interview on VTM NIEUWS on Sunday, she explained that 124 teachers would sit on the council to define which tasks are unnecessary or take up too much time, allowing educators to focus more on teaching.
“This council will determine exactly what we no longer need to do, what is pointless, and what currently takes up too much time—time that should actually be spent on the students,” Demir said.
#FlandersNewsService | Flemish minister for education and employment, Zuhal Demir pictured during a plenary session of the Flemish Parliament in Brussels. © BELGA PHOTO JAMES ARTHUR GEKIERE
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