Schools struggle to meet free supply mandate after subsidy cut
Schools in the French-speaking community are unable to provide free classroom supplies despite a new policy, after the per-child subsidy was reduced dramatically.
The 2026-2027 school year introduced free supplies for pupils from kindergarten through fifth grade. At the same time, the government of the Fédération Wallonie Bruxelles lowered the funding per child from 75 € to 24 €. Merlin Gevers of the Ligue des familles says the cut leaves schools in a difficult position to deliver quality materials to every student.
Why it matters
Reduced funding threatens the ability of schools to deliver promised free supplies to students.
In this story
free school suppliessubsidy reductionprimary educationMerlin GeversLigue des familleseducation fundingFédération Wallonie Bruxelles
