Flemish socialist party Vooruit has led the criticisms of the Flemish Education Minister Ben Weyts (N-VA), accusing him of silencing the education inspectorate.
Lieven Viaene, the retiring CEO of the inspectorate, gave an interview to De Standard on Friday, coming down hard at how Flemish Education Minister Weyts and his cabinet have dealt with the Flemish Education Inspectorate in recent years.
"Inspections were halted, press releases rewritten, and results were not made public. Major political pressure was also exerted in various files, such as recognising certain schools," Viaene says.
Vooruit party spokesperson Hannelore Goeman condemned the Flemish nationalist politician: "A minister who interferes with the education inspectorate’s decisions is truly detrimental to education quality."
Coalition party CD&V also denounces Weyts’ actions. "It’s of utmost importance that the inspectorate can work independently," states Flemish Parliament Member Loes Vandromme. "Illicit political pressure should never be the aim. The inspectorate should directly report to the parliament, not to the Education Minister."
Jean-Jacques De Gucht of the liberal party Open VLD stresses the inspectorate’s independence as "crucial". “An objective evaluation is necessary,” he argues, suggesting an education committee to provide clarity.
Groen MP Elisabeth Meuleman (Groen) reads the interviews with Viaene and comments, “Those who cherish freedom of education, administration, and freedom of thought may shudder. The hunt for ‘leftist’ teachers, critical inspection, withheld reports… We need to fight for quality and freedom.”
The right-wing opposition party Vlaams Belang also condemns Weyts’ "improper interference". Flemish MP Roosmarijn Beckers demands, “If these allegations are true and the minister is indeed censoring, he must resign.”
