Summary:

Belgian students at universities and colleges are taking significantly longer to complete their degrees compared to their peers in other European countries, according to a new report from the OECD. Less than one-third of Flemish students and under a quarter of students in French-speaking Belgium graduate within the standard three-year timeframe. The report highlights that only 32.6% of students in Flanders and 23.1% in the French community finish their bachelor’s degrees on time, with Belgium ranking poorly among 28 OECD countries.

The gap has widened over the past three years, as the average graduation rate in other countries has improved while Belgium’s has stagnated. Factors contributing to this issue include a flexible credit system that allows students to carry over failed courses, leading to procrastination, and concerns about the declining quality of secondary education. The financial implications of these delays are significant, with each student costing the system between €12,000 and €15,000 annually, and late graduation affecting their entry into the job market and future pensions.

To address these challenges, the previous Flemish government introduced a “hard cut” policy, which prevents students from continuing their studies if they do not pass all first-year courses by the end of their second year. Current Education Minister Zuhal Demir is also advocating for mandatory preliminary assessments to improve student outcomes. These measures aim to enhance the overall efficiency and effectiveness of higher education in Belgium.