Plans to open Flanders’ first bilingual primary classes in Dutch and Flemish Sign Language for deaf and hard-of-hearing pupils have been delayed after two schools said they lack the funding and support to start in September 2026.
The initiative was introduced under a decree passed in April 2024 by former Flemish Education Minister Ben Weyts (N-VA). It was meant to allow mainstream primary schools to set up Dutch–Flemish Sign Language sections where deaf and hard-of-hearing children could learn together and work towards the same certificate as other pupils.
At present, these children can only attend special education or mainstream education with the help of an interpreter. The new system was intended to let pupils communicate directly with teachers in sign language instead of relying constantly on interpretation.
The two schools involved are VBS Sint-Joris in Beernem and ’t Kantoor in Wuustwezel. Both had already received official approval for the 2026–27 school year.
However, the schools said a sustainable launch was not possible under the current conditions. According to the Flemish Sign Language Centre, they encountered major obstacles over staffing and funding.
There are also unresolved issues around teaching qualifications, the training of deaf trainee teachers and interpreter support.
There is still no simple system to prove that a teacher is proficient in Flemish Sign Language, while teacher training has not been adapted to bilingual education.
A language section is required to offer Dutch and Flemish Sign Language as equal languages of instruction. Hannes De Durpel, coordinator at the Flemish Sign Language Centre, said this demands enough teaching hours and suitably qualified staff.
According to the schools, the current framework does not provide that support. De Durpel said the delay was not due to a lack of willingness, but to structural barriers in the regulations.
The schools have passed their concerns on to Flemish Education Minister Zuhal Demir (N-VA). Her office is expected to review the scheme in the autumn of 2026, the centre said.
