The number of people enrolling in Dutch courses in Belgium is on the rise, according to De Zondag newspaper.
This year, a total of 18,707 individuals are actively pursuing Dutch-language courses at the Catholic Education Flanders (Katholiek Onderwijs Vlaanderen; KOV), one of the leading adult language-learning institutions in Flanders. This represents a 19% increase compared to last year.
Likewise, Ligo Education centres, another significant educational player in Belgium's Dutch-speaking region, have recorded a 15% increase in enrolment this year compared to the previous year.
Within the Flemish Region's broader education system, the total number of non-native speakers participating in Dutch language courses reached 35,700 students in 2022.
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Eddy Demeersseman, an educational advisor at KOV, attributes this surge in interest to two primary factors: an influx of refugees, particularly from Ukraine, and the growing emphasis on language acquisition more generally. However, Demeersseman points out that this increase is coupled with several challenges, including a shortage of teachers and available facilities.
The Flemish Minister of Education, Ben Weyts (N-VA), has also recognised the growing desire to learn Dutch. He has allocated an increased budget of €43 million for Dutch language learning for the current school year. Weyts also expects the Federal Government to take appropriate measures to address the escalating need for Dutch-language education.
