New PISA 2025 results show a significant and alarming decline in the reading proficiency of Flemish students, with a large percentage failing to meet basic comprehension levels. This contrasts with French-speaking education, which is reported to be maintaining or improving its quality relative to neighboring regions, although some reports also indicate a decline in scores but a reduction in inequalities. Flemish Minister for Education, Justice and Work Zuhal Demir has reacted somberly to the…

De Morgen: Flemish Children Score Worse on PISA Tests

A new report indicates a downward trend in Flemish education, with one in three students failing to meet the basic reading level in the latest PISA results.

De Standaard: Reading Level of Flemish Youth is Dramatic: Pisa Results Show Farmers Again…

The new international Pisa study reveals that nearly one in three Flemish 15-year-olds cannot understand simple texts, with the number of top performers also declining, prompting a somber reaction from Minister Zuhal Demir.

HLN: Three-quarters of Flemish vocational students unable to understand simple…

New PISA results reveal that a significant majority of Flemish vocational students struggle with basic comprehension, with alarming scores in mathematics and reading.

La Libre: PISA 2025 Survey: French-speaking education quality resists and gains ground…

An investigation into the PISA 2025 results, suggesting that the quality of French-speaking education in Belgium is holding steady or improving relative to neighboring regions despite potential challenges.

RTBF: PISA 2025: Belgian Education Minister Reacts to 'Less Bad' Performance

Belgium's Minister of Education, Valérie Glatigny, reacts to the PISA 2025 results, stating that the country cannot be satisfied with being merely 'less bad'.

RTBF: PISA 2025: Francophone Students' Scores Decline, But School Inequalities…

Results show a decline in scores for Francophone students in PISA 2025, yet the report also indicates a reduction in educational inequalities.

De Standaard: Let's Take the Pisa Results Seriously

An opinion piece by Rianne Janssen emphasizes the importance of learning from the Pisa results, as the Flemish education system awaits its report card.

The Belgian government is facing scrutiny for allocating over 10 billion euros to fossil fuel support, raising questions about potential areas for savings. Concurrently, federal budget discussions are heating up, with CD&V President Sammy Mahdi vehemently opposing the potential abolition of company cars, vowing to "swallow a lightbulb" if it occurs. The political rivalry between MR President Georges-Louis Bouchez and Prime Minister Bart De Wever is also highlighted in ongoing political…

RTBF: Belgian Government Spends Over 10 Billion Euros on Fossil Fuels

The Belgian government is allocating over 10 billion euros to support fossil fuels, raising questions about potential areas for government savings.

HLN: Live: Sammy Mahdi at start of budget meeting: 'I'll swallow a lightbulb if…

Live coverage of the budget discussion where Sammy Mahdi expresses strong opposition to the potential abolition of company cars, vowing to 'swallow a lightbulb' if it happens.

De Morgen: The Hybrid Battle Between Bouchez and De Wever Ignites

An analysis of the political maneuvering and rivalry between Belgian politicians Bouchez and De Wever.

Further details have emerged regarding the bankruptcy of the Belgian chip producer Belgan, where an alleged spy worked for China. The arrest of an ex-manager for allegedly leaking company secrets now sheds new light on the company's collapse, with suspicions of industrial espionage playing a significant role.

De Standaard: Bankruptcy of Chip Producer Belgan, Where Spy Worked for China, Had Highly…

The arrest of an ex-manager for allegedly leaking company secrets casts a new light on the bankruptcy of chip manufacturer Belgan, with suspicions of industrial espionage for China.

Flemish Minister for Environment and Agriculture Jo Brouns' proposal to reserve 765,000 hectares for agricultural land has met with strong opposition from the N-VA party, who dismiss the plan as 'planning fiction,' highlighting internal disagreements within the Flemish government.

De Standaard: The Figure the Flemish Government Clashes Over: Brouns Wants Agricultural Land…

CD&V Minister Jo Brouns proposes reserving 765,000 hectares for agricultural land, a plan met with resistance from the N-VA party who deem it 'planning fiction'.

Brussels Mayor Philippe Close is addressing critics regarding the "Casino of Brussels" affair. Separately, the city plans to launch a call for candidates to replace its Villo bike-sharing service, signaling an upcoming transition for urban mobility.

La Libre: 'We will launch a call for candidates to replace the Villo shared bikes'

An announcement regarding the process to find a new operator for Brussels' Villo bike-sharing service, indicating a transition or replacement of the current system.

La Libre: Casino of Brussels: Philippe Close, under fire from critics, responds to…

An article reporting on Brussels mayor Philippe Close addressing criticism and responding to his detractors concerning the 'Casino of Brussels'.

The Belgian labor market is seeing a notable trend where "flexi-jobbers" (temporary workers) are sometimes earning more than permanent employees, creating an unusual situation. Concurrently, a new analysis of energy performance certificates reveals surprising insights into the energy efficiency of Belgian homes, with the municipality of Bever showing the lowest ratings.

De Morgen: When a Flexi-Jobber Earns Better Than a Permanent Employee

A discussion on the Belgian labor market, highlighting the trend where temporary workers are sometimes better compensated than permanent staff, creating a topsy-turvy situation.

De Morgen: How Energy Efficient is Belgium? Five Surprising Lessons from 2 Million Energy…

An analysis of energy efficiency in Belgian homes based on a large dataset of energy performance certificates, revealing surprising insights.

De Morgen: Bever Municipality Has Belgium's Worst Energy Scores

A report highlighting that the municipality of Bever in Belgium has the lowest energy efficiency ratings, with all visited houses rated 'F'.

Wallonia is facing a significant challenge in replacing its aging water pipelines, which are currently responsible for a substantial loss of 4800 liters of potable water per kilometer.

RTBF: Wallonia Faces Challenge of Replacing Pipelines, Losing 4800 Liters of Water…

Wallonia is grappling with the significant challenge of renewing its aging pipelines, which results in a loss of 4800 liters of potable water per kilometer.

The city council of Eeklo experienced a period of high tension, particularly concerning opportunities for women, as revealed in an inside look at the local government.

De Morgen: 'Smart People, Especially Women, Have It Made': Eeklo City Council Under High…

An inside look at how the city council of Eeklo experienced a period of high tension, particularly concerning opportunities for women.