University professors to be fired faster under new rules

The evaluation system for staff in Dutch-speaking higher education in Belgium is set to be reformed. This modernisation aims to ensure that universities can sack poorly performing or abusive staff in a more timely manner, writes Lauren Walker for The Brussels Times.

Flemish Education Minister Ben Weyts (N-VA) is working to reform the way professors, assistants and other staff members in colleges and universities are evaluated. Until now, the system in place was very rigid and the Higher Education Code imposed a straitjacket on the institutions.

Weyts’ spokesperson Michaël Devoldere told The Brussels Times that the reform encompasses a general modernisation of personnel policy. “Abuse of power and [sexual] harassment are examples, but there are of course other examples of ‘poor performance’. The aim is to tackle them all more effectively.” He added that it should also be a better system for the many staff members “who function very well”.
Full report on The Brussels Times site