The reform was passed with a broad majority, as MPs welcomed the opportunity to give parents and children the choice to learn in either German or French following lengthy and intensive debates in parliament.
Notably, four of the seven MPs who spoke during the final vote had grown up in households where neither Luxembourgish, let alone German, was spoken.
The Christian Social People’s Party (CSV) MP Ricardo Marques stated:
“I did my homework alone, I studied for my exams alone – not because I wanted to, but because my parents don’t speak or understand German. Most of my Lusophone [Portuguese speaking] classmates were directed towards technique. Not because they were less intelligent, but because they were taught in a language in which they didn’t feel comfortable.”
MPs David Wagner, Meris Sehovic and Barbara Agostino shared similar experiences growing up, affirming that literacy in French would be of benefit to many children.
Democratic Party (DP) MP Agostino, rapporteur of the bill, explained: “This reform will give every child a good start to their school career.”
While the Luxembourg Socialist Workers’ Party (LSAP) ultimately supported the bill, MP Francine Closener voiced serious doubts about its implementation, citing Goethe’s Faust: “Two souls, alas! Dwell in my breast.”
She questioned why the views of unions and school staff had been ignored: “Why conduct a pilot project if no one even waits to see its results? Why is no one listening to (municipal union) Syvicol?”
Her concerns were echoed by the Pirate Party’s Marc Goergen, who even went as far as abstaining altogether from the vote. He said: “The project is simply not ready. It’s well-intentioned but poorly executed.”
While The Greens MP Meris Sehovic hoped that the literacy choice would promote equal opportunities, MP Fred Keup of the Alternative Democratic Reform Party (ADR) strongly opposed the reform:
“If French becomes the sole criterion, and Luxembourgish and German are no longer valued, then native Luxembourgers, especially those who struggle with French, are the ones who lose out in society. This system cements discrimination. We are firmly against it.”
The Left MP David Wagner rejected the right-wing MP’s claims. In his opinion, the reform creates winners without creating losers, as literacy in German remains an option:
“You [Fred Keup] are misleading people, including your own voters, just to score political points for the next election. You are doing so at the expense of children’s futures. I hope you reflect on the needs of children who do not come from the same socio-linguistic background as you do.”
Wagner’s remarks received rousing support from many MPs.
At the end of the heated debate, Education Minister Claude Meisch confirmed that yearly evaluations would be conducted with teachers and municipalities. He continued that French literacy is only one lever for improving equality of opportunity, and that gaps of socio-economic disparities must be closed.
Implementation begins in September as schools start again. The reform will first affect children in cycle 1 (formerly known as preschool), who will be guided through their language choices. In the 2027–2028 school year, the first pupils across the country will begin learning to read and write in French, provided their parents end up choosing that model.
| Press release from the Ministry of Education |
With the vote on 3 December 2025 on the law introducing the choice between German and French as the language of literacy in public primary schools, the Chamber of Deputies is setting a major milestone in the history of Luxembourg’s education system. This vote reflects a strong political will to build a fairer school system that is better adapted to the linguistic reality of our pupils. The ALPHA – ‘zesumme wuessen’ reform will put into practice the findings of scientific research and the promising results observed in the four pilot schools that already offer a choice of literacy language. Studies and empirical data show that pupils develop better skills when they learn to read, write and do arithmetic in a language closest to the one they speak at home. Furthermore, in the four pilot schools, ALPHA – ‘zesumme wuessen’ has significantly increased pupil motivation and encouraged their participation in class. With two-thirds of primary school pupils speaking neither Luxembourgish nor German as their first language at home, the ALPHA – ‘zesumme wuessen’ reform is particularly important: it will be a key lever for improving equal opportunities in Luxembourg schools. In the second term of the 2026/2027 school year, parents of pupils in cycle 1.2 will, for the first time, be able to choose German or French as their child’s literacy language. At the start of the 2027/2028 school year, pupils in cycle 2.1 will be taught literacy in the chosen language. The ALPHA – ‘zesumme wuessen’ reform will then be gradually extended to all cycles until the start of the 2032/2033 school year. The reform will allow schools to better take into account the linguistic profiles of pupils while preserving the unity of the Luxembourg school system. Throughout their primary education, pupils will continue to share 70% of their class time. In cycles 2 and 3, German, French and mathematics lessons will be organised in two separate groups, depending on the chosen literacy language, while all other subjects will be taught in the same class, in Luxembourgish. In cycle 4, pupils will once again be brought together for all lessons. In the coming months, efforts will continue in both teacher training and the development of teaching materials tailored to pupils’ needs as part of the ALPHA – ‘zesumme wuessen’ reform. These preparations are essential to ensure the success of this ambitious reform, which will not only improve the chances of success for many pupils, but also contribute to social cohesion in the country. Like the pilot project, the reform will be closely observed scientifically throughout its implementation. |
