Leuven (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Education Minister Zuhal Demir raised adult education fees in Flanders, doubling hobby course costs. Boufflette, director at CLT, warns that higher fees may affect 5,700 language learners aiming for jobs.
As VRT News reported, Education Minister Zuhal Demir is increasing the registration fees for some courses at adult education centres in Flanders. They mentioned that the fee hike mostly impacts “hobby courses,” such as exotic cooking, flower arranging, and various language classes, excluding Dutch and Flemish Sign Language.
The hourly registration fee for these courses will jump from €1.50 to €4.00, more than doubling the previous cost. This is the first fee increase since 2015. The minister’s aim is to promote adult education that emphasises job-oriented training and skill development rather than leisure or hobby activities.
What impact will fee increases have on language learners at CLT Leuven?
The director of an adult education centre, Boufflette, said a fee increase was expected because it had been almost 10 years since the last one. However, he was surprised by how much the fees went up. This could make the courses less affordable, and fewer people might sign up.
He mentioned that while the government wants to focus on job training, the higher fees might stop people from taking courses for fun or to learn a language. This has started a debate about what adult education should be about, how accessible it should be, and how the centres can stay financially stable.
Boufflette challenges Minister Zuhal Demir’s view that language courses are simply “hobby” courses. He questions whether language education should always be considered a leisure activity, separate from career aspirations. Boufflette highlights that many students enrol in language courses specifically to enhance their job prospects and increase their chances in the job market.
Boufflette also mentions that many students attend the CLT adult education centre. This year, over 9,500 students are enrolled, with 5,700 taking language courses besides Dutch or Flemish Sign Language. These students learn languages for different reasons: about 10% study for school, and 30% do it for their jobs.
He said that learning multiple languages is essential in today’s world, not just a hobby. Being able to speak multiple languages helps people get jobs and communicate better. Therefore, increasing the cost of language courses could negatively impact those who need these courses to improve their job opportunities.
