Financing for equity in primary and secondary education
FRENCH-SPEAKING COMMUNITY
1. Education resources to subnational governments
2. Education resources to schools
3. Education resources to students and families
4. Social policies and family support programmes
Introduction
The central government transfers the annual lump-sum transfers to the Communities through the Loi de Financement, based largely on demographic factors (school-age population) and fixed base amounts indexed each year.
In the various areas in which both Regional and Community powers are exercised, the French Community (Federation Wallonie-Bruxelles), the Walloon Region (Wallonie), and the Brussels-Capital Region devise joint policies. However, most of the management and the entirety of the funding (including teacher salaries) is done by the French Community. The General Administration of Education is one of the Ministry’s six entities.
The OECD, through Education GPS, illustrated the flows of public funding for public primary and lower secondary education institutions in the French Community of Belgium (2019).
1. Education resources to subnational governments
As it does not collect taxes directly, the Wallonia-Brussels Federation's main source of funding comes from tax revenues collected and paid by the federal government.
The majority of organising authorities for subsidised education belong to federations of organising authorities (Organe de représentation et de coordination), which represent them in their dealings with the Government of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation. In official education (enseignement officiel) — education organized by the government — these include: WBE (Wallonie-Bruxelles Enseignement), the educational network organized by the French Community; CECP (Conseil de l'enseignement des communes et provinces), representing subsidized public authorities (communes, provinces); and CPEONS (Conseil des Pouvoirs organisateurs de l'Enseignement officiel neutre subventionné). In free education (enseignement libre) — government-aided private education — the federations include: FELSI (Fédération des Établissements Libres Subventionnés Indépendants); and SeGEC (Secrétariat Général de l'Enseignement Catholique).
The Wallonia-Brussels Federation allocates resources to these different networks. To ensure equitable funding for all students regardless of the network, the government launched a draft decree in 2025 introducing a gradual readjustment of funding among the school networks. Over the next ten years, funding for subsidised education will progressively reach 92% of the level provided to education organised by the Federation (WBE), a move inspired by Flemish legislation. Specifically, per-student subsidies in the WBE network will be gradually reduced, while allocations to the other networks will increase annually until 2034.
Since the Decree of 28 March 2019, the French Community of Belgium has implemented a system of contractualization with the FPO/WBE. Contractualization is part of the overall governance of the education system and aims to frame and optimize the use of grants allocated by the Government by ensuring rigorous control over their use and increased visibility of their impact on educational performance. It also enables the progress of the FPO/WBE in relation to the objectives set out in their contracts to be measured and improved, while ensuring a structured and regular dialogue between Government services and the FPO/WBE regarding both the objectives and the resources mobilized to achieve them. This mechanism, designed to support continuous improvement, is grounded in a clear regulatory framework.
However, no information was found regarding funding mechanisms that incorporate equity considerations when transferring funds from the central government to local governments.
2. Education resources to schools
L'encadrement différencié (Differentiated management)
A decree from April 30, 2009, regulates educational institutions subsidized by the French Community to guarantee equal opportunities for social emancipation. It provides for the objective allocation of human and financial resources based on socio-economic criteria in order to promote complementary educational initiatives.
Operating costs increase based on the socioeconomic index (ISE) of each location, determined annually from the school population on January 15 of the previous calendar year.
The socioeconomic index is calculated using individual student characteristics, including household income, education level, and unemployment rates of household members.
Ecoles en Dispositif d’Ajustement
A specific governance mechanism has been established to support the schools facing the greatest challenges: the School Adjustment Scheme (École en dispositif d’ajustement – EDA). Around twenty schools are concerned each year. The scheme spans a three-year period and includes an annual evaluation. The first cohort was identified in 2020.
The schools targeted by the scheme are those which, based on four indicators, are the farthest from the average of institutions with a similar profile and belonging to the same socio-economic category. These four indicators relate to student outcomes and pathways, the school climate, and the teaching team. Depending on the conclusions of the audits conducted in each school, financial and human resources, pedagogical innovation measures, support mechanisms, or research projects are allocated and made available to the schools.
3. Education resources to students and families
Allocation d’études (Scholarship)
The Direction des allocations d'études of the Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles provides financial aid to 165,000 students. To apply for a scholarship in secondary education, the student must be enrolled in a secondary school organised or subsidised by the Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles. Eligibility is based on the income of all household members listed under the student’s legal representative.
Fournitures scolaire gratuites (Free school supplies)
Since September 2021 for nursery schools and since September 2023 for the first two years of primary school (expanding to the third year in 2024), public and subsidised schools are required to provide all essential school supplies, classroom materials, and compulsory clothing free of charge. This policy, funded by the regional government, ensures that families no longer have to pay for basic items like notebooks, pencils, or classroom equipment, though a few regulated exceptions remain for activities such as swimming pool entry, certain excursions, or overnight trips.
Allocation de rentrée scolaire (Back-to-school allowance)
The back-to-school allowance is a lump sum paid once a year with the July family allowance (see section 4) to all families.
4. Social policies and family support programmes
Supplément social - Allocation familiale
Both Wallonia and Bruxelles provide family allowances to support families with children, each with its own rules and amounts. The supplément social is a temporary supplement for households whose gross taxable income falls below a certain threshold. Since 2021, eligible families have received this benefit automatically.
5. School meal programmes
A 2023 decree on financing complete, free, healthy, and sustainable meals in ordinary or specialised basic education schools organised or subsidised by the French Community reinforced the free canteen scheme in disadvantaged French-speaking schools, originally launched in 2018. The government provides funding—within available budget limits—to school organising authorities to support the provision of these meals. Funding is given as an endowment for French Community-run schools and as a subsidy for subsidised schools. The amount is €3.70 per full meal served daily to each child. Nutritionists have been involved in the programme in the Walloon-Brussels Federation.
This profile was reviewed by Ouahdi Nisdi, International Relations Direction.
