This chapter provides a thematic and chronological overview of the most recent national reforms and policy developments, described according to broad thematic categories essentially corresponding to education types or levels:

• National reforms in Early Childhood Education and Care
• National reforms in School Education
• National reforms in Vocational Education and Training and Adult Learning
• National reforms in Higher Education
• National reforms related to Transversal Skills and Employability.

In each thematic area, reforms are presented chronologically. The most recent reforms are described first.

This introductory page presents Luxembourg's overall education strategy and key objectives throughout the education system. It also provides an overview of the education reform process in Luxembourg and identifies the main decision-making actors.

A final section on the European Perspective provides links to European strategies where education and training have a prominent part.

Overall national education strategy and key objectives

The programme of the current three-party coalition government, in power since December 2013, sets out the main orientations and objectives of education policy. The second legislature's 2018-2023 coalition agreement defining the government policy was signed on 3 December 2018 by the representatives of the parties involved: democratic (DP), socialist (LSAP) and 'the Greens' (déi gréng). In the fields of Education, Children and Youth, policy takes a holistic approach, meaning that the development of children and youth has to be understood in its entirety. The key objective of the educational strategy is to ensure that all children and young people have equal access to a consistent, comprehensive and quality educational and childcare environment. State schools shall respond to the learner population's growing diversity. Educational provision and schooling offer must fit the students' actual needs. One major objective of governmental action is to promote equal opportunities for all citizens.

The government's educational policy is guided by five main principles:

1. Continuous development to ensure the quality of the reforms undertaken
2. Putting the child centre stage of the policy
3. Different schools for different talents
4. Confidence and autonomy
5. Innovation and modernisation.

The details of the strategy are developed in pages 55-77 of the 2018-2023 coalition agreement.

Overview of the education reform process and drivers

In Luxembourg, educational reforms are proposed to the Chamber of Deputies in the name of the Grand Duke by the minister responsible for Education, Children and Youth and/or Higher Education and Research.  The Chamber of Deputies has legislative power and steers the political debate (see its missions). The legislative process is described on the Chamber's website. It consists of several consecutive steps:

1. Draft law or bill: launch of the legislative process
2. Referral to the committees: a necessary step
3. Discussion in public session: presentation and final amendments
4. Voting: a two-stage process (with a second vote following the opinion of the Council of State, unless the Council of State waives it)
5. Promulgation: signature by the Grand Duke
6. Entry into force: publication in the Official Journal.