About 70 experts had presented the result of their work in early May: a list of more than a thousand knowledge or skills, all things that students are supposed to learn over the nursery and primary school. Teaching players then had their say, and the list was somewhat skimmed: some elements dubbed, others seemed too time -consuming and would not have left enough room for maneuver to teachers.
The CEB’s results in 2025: the alert tumble is better in French and math!
This list will “color equally inside the lines” for kindergartens to the knowledge of the principles of a democratic state at the end of the primary, for example. The red thread of these “minimumdoelen”: knowledge.
Children begin earlier with the acquisition of it. While in 1997, it was planned that preschool children were able to distinguish the characters from a letter, it is now specified that they must be able to recognize at least 15 letters and pronounce the sound. For mathematics, preschool children must have learned from zero to twenty.
Situate Belgium
Another example: in third kindergarten, five -year -old children should soon know that they live in Belgium, know by heart the name of a local river and have already heard of the Nile.
In the fourth primary, this evolves towards the ability to locate its own region, knowing all the Belgian provinces and being able to cite known places such as the High Fagnes, but also know where Belgium is in relation to neighboring countries.
A ten -year -old child should soon be able to say where the Mediterranean and the North Sea are and, with a little luck, he will also know all the continents.
In sixth year, he will have to prepare for learning geography and quickly know all the countries of the European Union and their capitals, but also designate the world powers such as China and Russia.
Change in 6th grade next year: the CEB will be different
The Flemish government opts for progressive entry into force. Nothing changes next year, except for schools that wish, already, already integrate new objectives. In 2026-2027, kindergartens and the first three years of primary will already integrate part of the new objectives in the following matters: Dutch, mathematics, science and technique. The next year, these same years must resume the “minimumdoelen” in all subjects.
The 4th and 5th primary will change their program at the same time in “key” matters (Dutch, mathematics, science and technique), the 6th will follow in 2028-2029. All the objectives will be compulsory in 4th from this same school year, then in the higher sections in the following years.
During the debate, the opposition wondered about the ability of the sector to use such a reform so quickly. Thus, Groen tried in vain to introduce an amendment to postpone the whole of a year. Ditto on the side of the teaching domes, which had requested more time and more means. They are indeed afraid of seeing a two -speed education emerge.
The PVDA voted against, judging that the main question should relate to the way of achieving the objectives set, and not on the height of these.