Brussels, 26 October, (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Brussels school dropouts are at the centre of a €1.54 million education funding initiative announced by the Flemish Community Commission (VGC) and the Brussels-Capital Region. The investment will support 33 Dutch-speaking secondary schools and campuses through the Time In programme, which aims to prevent early school leaving, improve attendance and provide targeted assistance to vulnerable pupils.
The initiative seeks to address educational disengagement before students permanently leave school. Participating institutions will introduce tailored measures to identify warning signs, strengthen individual guidance and improve cooperation between teachers, families and welfare services.
Brussels Allocates €1.54 Million to Strengthen Education
The funding will be distributed among 33 Dutch-speaking secondary schools and campuses across Brussels, with individual allocations ranging from €15,000 to almost €170,000.
The amount received by each institution will depend on factors including pupil numbers, educational provision and identified support needs.
Schools will develop individual action plans addressing absenteeism, learning difficulties, behavioural problems and other circumstances that may increase the risk of pupils leaving education prematurely.
The programme encourages schools to move beyond disciplinary responses by introducing preventative measures, restorative practices and personalised support.
A central objective is to help students remain connected to education while reducing permanent exclusions and unnecessary school transfers.
Education Officials Emphasise Early Intervention
Dirk De Smedt, the Flemish Community Commission college member responsible for education, announced the funding initiative and highlighted the importance of identifying difficulties before pupils disengage from school.
According to the education official, warning signs often emerge before a young person stops attending classes regularly.
Schools therefore have an important role in recognising attendance problems, behavioural changes and declining academic engagement.
The programme promotes closer collaboration with parents and welfare organisations to address difficulties affecting pupils both inside and outside the classroom.
Rather than relying exclusively on intervention after prolonged absence, participating schools will be encouraged to provide assistance at an earlier stage.
Time In Programme Expands Across Brussels Schools
The Time In initiative builds on earlier pilot projects introduced in 2021, when a smaller group of schools began testing approaches to preventing educational disengagement.
Its expansion to 33 schools and campuses represents a broader attempt to establish preventative support within everyday school operations.
The investment comes as Brussels continues to face challenges involving absenteeism and early school leaving. Regional education monitoring has highlighted both problems as significant concerns for secondary education.
Why School Dropout Prevention Matters for Brussels
Reducing early school leaving has implications beyond the classroom.
Young people who complete secondary education generally have stronger opportunities to pursue further training, higher education and employment.
For Brussels families, additional school-based assistance may help address difficulties before they lead to prolonged absence or exclusion.
The programme also provides a framework for schools to work more closely with external support services, particularly when pupils face circumstances requiring assistance beyond conventional teaching.
What Happens Next for Brussels Education Funding?
Participating schools are expected to develop and implement their action plans, focusing on attendance, educational progression and individual pupil support.
The effectiveness of the initiative will depend on how schools use the funding and whether their interventions lead to measurable improvements.
Although the investment establishes additional resources for prevention, the number of pupils who will ultimately benefit has not yet been confirmed.
The expansion signals a greater emphasis on early intervention within Dutch-speaking secondary education in Brussels, with schools taking a central role in helping vulnerable pupils remain in education.
