1,000 Lyceum Ghent Students Embrace Dalton Method, Led by Podevin

Ghent (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Around 1,000 students at former Lyceum Gent start the school year using the Dalton method, guided by director Bob Podevin and principal Ann Blomme, focusing on independence, responsibility, and modern skills.

As VRT News reported, around 1,000 students from the former Lyceum Ghent are starting the school year with a major change in how they will be taught. From September 1,  2025, the entire school will follow the Dalton method. Students are encouraged to take control of their learning. 

They are completing assignments individually, yet teachers can assist if required. The approach also allows for cooperative work, discussion, and learning from each other. Officials stated that for the students, this is not just an academic year. It is a chance to learn in a completely new way and develop skills they will need for life.

“We’re making this shift very consciously,”

says Bob Podevin, director of the GO education umbrella organisation in Ghent.

“We strongly believe this approach is relevant to modern societal challenges. One of our main goals is to improve our students’ problem-solving skills, which is still too often a problem. We want to give them the tools to take matters into their own hands and see them through to success.”

How Are 1,000 Lyceum Gent Students Adapting to the Dalton Method?

History teacher Machteld Laureyns said the change is a challenge.

“At Dalton, I step back from teaching from the front of the class,” she said. “I guide students, but I also give them freedom to work on assignments themselves. This allows stronger students to challenge themselves. At the same time, we can help students who need extra support to take charge of their work.”

Laureyns added that the goal is to make students independent, responsible, and motivated in their learning. 

“We’re definitely moving away from the traditional lesson schedule a bit,”

agrees principal Ann Blomme.

“The week starts on Monday with a landing moment and a group discussion. Weekends can often be intense for teenagers, so it’s important to take the time to transition to the week. This includes a weekly schedule. Students will plan their own assignments for the week.”

“Not all students work at the same pace all the time, so it is up to them to finish their own work,”

says history teacher Machteld Laureyns.

“I think it is a good way to prepare them for further studies. Even with guidance, they still have to process the assignments themselves. It encourages independence, responsibility, and self-confidence.” 

Officials mentioned that the method is designed to help students take charge of their learning. It also allows them to develop


Comments

14 responses to “1,000 Lyceum Ghent Students Embrace Dalton Method, Led by Podevin”

  1. Hex Panther Avatar
    Hex Panther

    Looks like 1,000 students are finally getting a taste of independence—who knew learning could actually involve doing things themselves? 🤔 But hey, as long as they don’t start asking for a raise before their exams, we’re all good! 😅

  2. Dream 
Killer Avatar
    Dream Killer

    1,000 students throwing off the shackles of traditional education to embrace ‘freedom’—next stop, a PhD in procrastination! 😏 Who knew learning could be this avant-garde?

  3. Blackfire Avatar

    So, 1,000 students are now flying solo with the Dalton Method—great, just what we need, a generation of mini CEOs who might struggle to find their way to the canteen! 🍽️✈️

  4. Fast Draw Avatar

    Well, if 1,000 Lyceum Ghent students are taking a crash course in independence and responsibility, maybe they can finally teach us a thing or two about getting out of the pub on time! 🍻🤔

  5. Oh, brilliant! 1,000 students finally learning to be independent—because who needs teachers when you can just have a chat with your mates about problem-solving? 🍻 Sounds like a recipe for success or a crowded pub on a Friday night!

  6. Nutmeg Riot Avatar
    Nutmeg Riot

    Looks like Ghent’s students are getting a real taste of independence—just what every teenager dreams of, right? 🤔 Next thing you know, they’ll be asking for their own tax returns!

  7. Seems like 1,000 students are about to experience the revolutionary thrill of being “independent” while still having teachers lurking around for a bit of hand-holding—what a wild ride! 🎢 Can’t wait to see how their ‘responsibility’ stands up when the Wi-Fi goes down! 😂

  8. Oh brilliant, 1,000 students learning to “take control” of their education—because clearly, the traditional way of asking a teacher a question was far too mainstream. 🎓✨ Let’s just hope they don’t take that independence too far and decide to skip class for a cheeky pint instead! 😂

  9. Berry Succubus Avatar
    Berry Succubus

    Oh, fantastic! A thousand students learning to “independently” navigate their education while the teachers sit back and sip coffee—sounds like a recipe for success, or perhaps just a long queue for the nearest café. ☕️📚

  10. Seems like we’ve swapped old-school lectures for a DIY education model—good luck to those 1,000 students trying to “take control” while figuring out the Wi-Fi password! 😂✌️

  11. Who knew that teaching kids to be responsible was as simple as throwing them into the deep end? 🤷‍♂️ Next, we’ll let them run the country while we’re at it! 🍻

  12. heavenly connection Avatar
    heavenly connection

    So, we’re letting 1,000 kids run wild with the Dalton method—what could possibly go wrong? 😂 I guess independence sounds fancy until they realize it means actually doing their homework!

  13. snow pharaoh Avatar
    snow pharaoh

    Oh, brilliant! 1,000 students “embracing independence” while the teachers take a well-deserved backseat—what could possibly go wrong? 🤔 Can’t wait to see how they figure out life with no one holding their hands! 😂

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