Belgian authorities in the Francophone community announced a shift in language education policy, with Minister Valérie Glatigny proposing Dutch as a compulsory subject from Year 3 in French-speaking schools. The plan aims to broaden language skills and bolster employment prospects for Francophone students in the Belgian labor market, where English remains the predominant second language choice for about 70% of pupils.
In parallel, the Flemish government advanced Brussels-focused language efforts under the Masterplan for Dutch in Brussels, led by Minister Cieltje Van Achter. The initiative seeks to elevate Dutch proficiency among residents and expatriates as a social stepping stone in the capital region, aligning with broader regional governance efforts that followed the formation of a new Brussels government after a lengthy deadlock post-2024 elections.