Flemish minister calls for end to federal language tests in Flanders

Flemish minister of home affairs Hilde Crevits (CD&V/Christian Democrats) wants to scrap mandatory federal Dutch language tests for job applicants in the Flemish government. She plans to discuss the matter with the federal government to push for a more flexible system.

Currently, a federal law determines who must take a Dutch language test and who is responsible for administering it. These exams are organised by the Federal Public Service for Policy and Support (BOSA), meaning the Flemish government has no say in setting its own language requirements for different job levels.

Crevits argues that the system is unfair and sometimes leads to absurd situations. For example, under current rules, anyone applying for a master’s-level position in the Flemish government must take a Dutch test if their highest degree was obtained in another language. 

This means that a student who earned a bachelor’s degree in Dutch but later completed a master’s in English is required to take a language test, while their peers who completed their entire education in Dutch are not. 

Crevits believes this creates unnecessary barriers for some applicants. She will begin discussions with the federal government to introduce a more flexible Flemish system.

^{#FlandersNewsService | Flemish home affairs minister Hilde Crevits during a plenary session of the Flemish Parliament in Brussels © BELGA PHOTO JONAS ROOSENS}