Imagine stepping into a Belgian classroom in the autumn of 1991. The Cold War has just ended, the first website is about to go live, and a teacher stands before a group of restless 11-year-olds. On the overhead projector is a grainy, black-and-white diagram of the reproductive system. The word "sex" is whispered, not spoken. The lesson on puberty is separated: boys in one room, girls in another. The message is clear: this is biological, clinical, and slightly embarrassing.
Introduction: A Tale of Two Classrooms
Now, fast forward to the updated curriculum of 2025/2026. The same teacher shows a tablet displaying an interactive 3D model of the endocrine system. Boys and girls sit together, discussing consent, digital safety, gender identity, and emotional regulation alongside wet dreams and menstruation. Imagine stepping into a Belgian classroom in the