Children and youth

Too much talent is still wasted in Brussels

What does Vooruit.brussels want?

More places in Dutch-language schools and childcare

The first 6 years are crucial for the development of our children. That’s why we invest in our childcare, and reform it, to give every child the best start in life. We invest in good and affordable daycare with one caregiver for five children, and 130 days free childcare for every child. The number of places in Dutch-language schools must also increase. Via an expansion of the offer, and more collaboration with the French-language community.

A strong teacher in every class

Teachers who choose for Brussels should be rewarded. We want to create more breathing space for teachers in Brussels, by employing co-teachers to lighten their burden. By giving them more support and a teachers’ education tailored to a metropolis. Especially beginning teachers will benefit from extra coaching. Because strong education starts with strong teachers.

A free healthy meal in school for every child in primary school

You can’t learn anything with an empty stomach. Yet there are still hungry children in the Brussels classrooms. That is unacceptable...We want a free and healthy meal in school for every child in primary school. Every day. We’ve proven that it’s possible in the schools of the City of Brussels, now it’s up to Flanders to make it possible in every school.

Dutch as cement in a multilingual city

In a melting pot like Brussels, multilingualism is an asset. On one condition: children should have enough elementary knowledge of Dutch. Those whose level of Dutch is insufficient, must have more opportunities to practise Dutch, also after school. Because a language deficit too often leads to a learning deficit. We provide extra language support in childcare centres and schools. We target schools that also offer activities outside of school hours. Through sports, theatre or arts, children can discover their talents and practise Dutch in a playful way. Youth movements and holiday playgroup activities have an important role in continued education too.
We advocate that both in the Dutch-speaking and the French-speaking schools in Brussels, the other national language is required to be taught, intensively and from an early age. It does not make sense for children in French-language schools not to be taught any Dutch in their entire school career, only to be given expensive language cheques when entering the job market. We promote the exchange of teachers between Dutch- and French-language schools.

Being young and carefree

Young people should be able to find accessible and affordable psychological care. That’s why we invest even more in youth care. We establish an accessible registration point for all request for youth care, so young people and their parents don’t have to search endlessly to find the necessary help. We expand the Brede Scholen with local welfare partners. This way, we focus on prevention and strengthen the broad learning and living environment of children and their parents. Eliminating waiting lists remains a priority. Every child should receive the help it needs on time.

Extending the maximum bill to secondary schools

School choice or study choice should not be determined by their parents’ means. Costs are much too high in secondary schools. Even for the same course of study, there can be a difference of up to 500 euros per year between schools. Those differences have to go. Books and teaching materials that are necessary to achieve the exit qualifications should be provided by the school. The Flemish Government should therefore provide more funding. Thanks to the socialists, a maximum bill already exists in primary schools. It’s high time to introduce a maximum bill in secondary school too. Children don’t deserve to be the victims of inequality. It’s a core task of a strong welfare state to give equal opportunities to all children.

High-quality and affordable extracurricular activities

We are committed to providing high-quality and affordable after-school care by investing in an accessible offer through strong recreational organisations, aligned with the workings of the Brede School. This requires deployment of sufficient and qualified staff. In doing so, we elaborate one transparent and income-related pricing policy, with special attention to single-parent families. We also invest in attractive, multifunctional, and sustainable buildings that are also accessible after school hours.

Harmonising school holidays

The fact that there are currently two holiday schemes in Brussels is absurd and causes organisational problems for families, youth organisations and businesses. We want one holiday schedule for all schools with better spacing like they already have in schools of the French speaking community. This is not only much more logical but also avoids learning disruption for children who would otherwise spend a very long time at home. So, this is crucial to give every child a fair chance.