People with a migration background in Flanders perform significantly worse in language and numeracy skills compared to native Flemish people, according to the international PIAAC study released on Tuesday.
The PIAAC study reveals that native Dutch speakers score 22% higher in numeracy and 24% higher in literacy compared to non-native speakers. This represents the largest gap in numeracy skills among all participating countries, with only Germany showing a larger gap in language skills.
In addition, Flemish people without a migration background perform 25-26% better in language and numeracy than first-generation migrants. The language gap is only larger in Finland and Germany, while the numeracy gap only is bigger in Finland.
Despite these disparities, Flanders performs well overall. Out of all 38 OECD countries, the region ranks seventh in literacy and eighth in numeracy and problem-solving. Finland and Japan top the rankings.
The gap between high performers and low performers has widened over the past ten years. In terms of literacy, native Flemish people make up 12% of the low performers, compared to 33% of second-generation migrants. The gap in numeracy skills are similar.
'Shameful' results
Flemish Minister for Education Zuhal Demir (N-VA) called the results "shameful" and stressed the importance of the Dutch language. Over the next five years, €433 million will be invested in improving Dutch language skills. Early intervention is key, with intensive language integration programmes for children who fail the 'Koala' language test, an exam they take in their third year of pre-school.
The TIMSS study last week also showed a larger gap in mathematics and science performance among ten-year-olds with and without a migration background in Flanders. "After more than 50 years of migration, it is painfully clear that our integration story has not been successful," Demir said. She emphasised the need for non-Dutch-speaking parents to make an effort to learn the language, even suggesting that parents who refuse to learn Dutch could lose their school bonus.
Demir underscored the importance of strong education. "We need to accelerate the implementation of new educational standards in primary and pre-school education," she said.
The study collected results from 3,909 individuals in Flanders in 2023. These include 215 cases where a shorter questionnaire was administered at the participants' doorsteps to better reach non-native speakers.
