What changed in French-speaking Belgian schools for the 2026 return?

The largest classroom change concerns pupils entering première secondaire, or 1re secondaire. The strengthened tronc commun, introduced progressively under the Pacte pour un enseignement d’excellence, has now followed its first cohort from primary school into secondary education. The Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles timetable provides for second secondary to join in 2027-2028 and third secondary in 2028-2029.

For families, this means that first secondary is intended to remain a broad phase of learning rather than an early sorting point. Schools work from common reference frameworks covering languages, mathematics, science, culture, physical education and technical, technological and manual learning. The precise timetable and way subjects are grouped can still vary by establishment, so parents should consult the grille horaire and school rules rather than assume that every school offers an identical week.

The reform does not make first secondary free of every charge, nor does it erase all differences between schools. It changes the curriculum framework and extends the period during which pupils receive a broad education before later orientation. Wallonie-Bruxelles Enseignement

Parents whose child is still waiting for a first-secondary place should use the FWB’s Espace Inscription. The administration says waiting lists can continue moving after the return, although changes become less frequent. A pupil who already had a place before 24 August could lose it from the third school working day if they failed to attend without a valid reason. The Service des inscriptions can be reached through inscription.cfwb.be, at [email protected] or on 0800 188 55.

The rentrée also brings an extension of gratuité scolaire for supplies. According to Bruxelles-J’s explanation of the FWB rules, schools must now provide learning materials without charge throughout ordinary pre-primary and primary education up to fifth primary, as well as in fundamental specialised education. Sixth primary is scheduled to enter the scheme in 2027-2028.

Typical covered items include exercise books, classroom paper, pencils, markers, scissors, craft material and the school diary when these are required for learning. Families should therefore pause before buying an extensive stationery list: first compare it with the written information from the school.

“Free schooling” remains narrower than its everyday meaning. Meals, childcare, swimming, excursions, overnight trips and some personal items can still generate lawful charges under defined conditions. Schools should communicate foreseeable costs and provide a breakdown. A parent who sees an unclear charge should first ask the direction or pouvoir organisateur—the organising authority, which may be WBE, a commune, a province or a subsidised free-school body. The next contacts are the parents’ association or conseil de participation. If the issue remains unresolved, the FWB Service de la gratuité can be contacted at [email protected] or +32 2 690 80 03.

This distinction matters especially to recently arrived families. The measure concerns the education system governing the school, not simply its street address. A French-language communal school in a Brussels commune follows FWB rules; a Dutch-language school in the same municipality—where the local authority is usually described as the gemeente—falls under the Flemish Community

Organisation

Flemish Community

The authority governing the separate Dutch-language school system, including Dutch-language schools in Brussels.

Why it matters

The authority governing the separate Dutch-language school system, including Dutch-language schools in Brussels.

About

The Flemish Community is one of the three institutional communities of Belgium, established by the Belgian constitution and having legal responsibilities only within the precise geographical boundaries of the Dutch-language area and of the bilingual area of Brussels-Capital.

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For certain teachers of general, technical, philosophical and recognised-religion courses in the upper years of ordinary secondary education, a full classroom assignment has risen from 20 to 22 periods a week. Parliamentary documents describe the change as both a budget measure and an attempt to align their classroom load with the 22 periods already associated with lower-secondary teachers.

The government’s case is that a common benchmark creates greater consistency and can help cover teaching needs. Trade unions, affected teachers and opposition parties argue that two additional lessons also bring preparation, marking and pupil follow-up, and could reduce the number of assignments available to temporary staff. A parliamentary attempt to remove the increase did not prevent it taking effect, although a transitional measure was adopted in July. Reporting catalogued by the Parliament of the French Community indicated that the reform could reduce staffing needs by roughly 1,300 full-time equivalents; the precise effect on individual schools and temporary appointments will only become clearer as timetables and reassignments settle.

Families may encounter timetable adjustments or changes of teacher, but the 22-period rule is an employment measure, not an increase in pupils’ weekly lesson entitlement. Parents concerned about missing lessons should ask the school direction which courses lack a regular teacher and what replacement or continuity plan is in place.

Keep the rentrée documents and compare every requested payment with the school’s itemised fee statement. Confirm the school’s language community, particularly in Brussels communes such as the City of Brussels, Schaerbeek/Schaarbeek or Ixelles/Elsene. For a child in first secondary, request the timetable and the school’s explanation of how it implements the common core. If the family does not understand French well, ask the school or commune for language assistance; the FWB inscription service also publishes essential enrolment information for parents who do not master French.

These reforms are stages rather than a finished settlement. The common core is due to reach second secondary next year, while supply-cost relief is scheduled to extend to sixth primary. The immediate questions are more practical: whether schools can implement the new curriculum smoothly, how the 22-period workload affects staffing, and whether parents receive clear, consistent information about the expenses that remain permissible.