The Flemish Government has decided that education inspectors can now conduct unannounced visits to schools, according to Education Minister Zuhal Demir.
Currently, inspections must be announced three weeks in advance. The government believes this does not always paint an accurate picture of what happens in the classroom.
In addition, the government is set to reduce administrative burdens and increase the number of school visits. Numerous advisory responsibilities are also being eliminated. This includes evaluating equipment in technical schools or assessing temporary art academy buildings.
Recommendations regarding the establishment of new study programmes will also be removed. These duties will be assumed by officials from the Agency for Educational Services.
Demir stated that these decisions will give schools more autonomy. "The government sets minimum targets and the education inspectorate checks if they are met," Demir explained. "But the path to achieving these goals is for school boards to decide. We trust them."
This trust is coupled with increased oversight of education quality. Implementing a quality management policy will become a requirement for all schools.
