VET IN FLANDERS

FLANDERS IN BELGIUM Flanders = Flemish Region + Flemish Community Flemish Region: territorial issues Flemish Community: person-related issues 1 Flemish Parliament & 1 Flemish Government Northern part of Belgium 6 million inhabitants Capital: Brussels

FLEMISH EDUCATION Flemish Minister for Education and Training Responsible for education policy from nursery to university level But! The Federal authorities hold the powers: -to dertermine the start and end of compulsory education -to establish the minimum conditions of obtaining a diploma -to determine education staff pensions

STRUCTURE OF EDUCATION

SCHOOL POPULATION

SECONDARY EDUCATION Full-time secondary education (12 to 18 years) Attainment targets: -subject-related attainment targets -Cross-curricular attainment targets (VOETen) cf. social skills, public responsibility, health education, environmentally awareness From 2nd stage: final choice of subjects with a common and an optional part

Subjects in VET Physical education French English ‘Project Algemene Vakken’ (PAV): transdisciplinary -Mother tongue / linguistics -Mathematics -Reading & communication skills -Organisational skills -Social studies (time & space)

‘Project Algemene Vakken’ Major aim: preparing for society 4 to 6 hours per week A thematic approach: socially relevant themes (e.g. travelling, sexuality, addiction, etc.) -Current topics -Related to pupils’ personal interests (‘leefwereld’) -Practically-oriented -Problem solving skills & cooperation

POWERFUL LEARNING ENVIRONMENT Van Looy e.a., Expeditie PAV, VUB.

KEY COMPETENCES PAV Linguistics: Getting to the essence of information Oral expression abilities Using information in oral & written communication Mathematics Useful application of proportions (percentages, scale, etc.) Carrying out measurements spontaneously and autonomously Verifying calculations & measurements spontaneously and autonomously

KEY COMPETENCES PAV Organisation skills Ability to make choices Independent planning, self-organising, realisation & evaluation Debating, participation, teamwork, reflection & adjustement Time & Space Identifying and debating current affairs Relating current and historical affairs Identifying cultural differences

KEY COMPETENCES PAV Social Skills Application skills Understanding community and social services Control the finances & budgetting Understanding importance of life long learning Responsiblity in traffic The right attitude toward safety

SAMPLE

PROBLEMS & DIFFICULTIES Professionalisation & teacher training Transdisciplinary approach & cooperation How to evaluate?