Steven Bellens 18.07.2025 4
Source: https://edu.europechess.org/2025/07/10/ecu-chess-in-education-ambassador-belgium/
The European Chess Union has launched the ECU Chess in Education Partnership with National Chess Federations to help promote chess as an educational tool in schools and institutions across Europe and beyond, strengthening the connection amongst National Federations and the broader educational community.
ECU EDU’s goal is to increase the visibility of the National Chess in Education initiatives through our dedicated online platforms to create opportunities for knowledge sharing, networking and collaboration to inspire each other.
As part of this initiative, the ECU Chess in Education Ambassadors will play a key role in supporting the ECU Education Commission’s mission to promote Chess in Education (CiE), empowering chess educators and supporting CiE initiatives.
Philippe Vukojevic, ECU Chess in Education Ambassador for Belgium
Secretary & Youth Director at the Royal Belgian Chess Federation
Board member at the Royal Belgian Chess Federation and a member of the ECU Education Commission
University Researcher and Lecturer in higher education
Brief Bio (chess/education background):
CHESS
PROFESSIONAL
Chess in Education in Your Country
| 1. Does your National Chess Federation have an active Education Commission? | No |
| 2. How is chess currently integrated into your country’s education system? | It all depends on personal initiative. Some schools teach chess during school hours, but most schools that offer chess, do it as a complementary activity after school hours. |
| 3. Is there government, institutional or National Chess Federation support for Chess in Education? | In Flanders, there are some schools where chess is taught during school hours (in primary schools). In that region, chess is also offered more at younger ages, but mostly after school hours, by volunteers. In Wallonia, it is almost exclusively after hours for children who want to play chess. When we see competitions, there are more participants from primary schools in Flanders, and more participants from secondary schools in Wallonia. In the German-speaking region as well, everything depends on personal initiatives, and since last year, chess has again been offered after school hours in a school. |
| 4. What age groups or school levels are most involved in chess activities in schools? | There were some very good initiatives in some cities (i.e. Ostend), but again, initiatives depend too much on a few people. We didn’t convince people that chess is a game to be spread. |
| 5. Are there particular regions, schools or cities with standout CiE initiatives? | In Flanders, there are some schools where chess is taught during school hours (in primary schools). In that region, chess is also offered more at younger ages, but mostly after school hours, by volunteers. In Wallonia, it is almost exclusively after hours for children who want to play chess. When we see competitions, there are more participants from primary schools in Flanders, and more participants from secondary schools in Wallonia. In the German-speaking region as well, everything depends on personal initiatives and since last year, chess has again been offered after school hours in a school. |
Programs & Pedagogy
| 6. What are the key Chess in Education programs or projects currently running in your country? | There is no real program, only some local initiatives during school hours. |
| 7. What materials, tools or platforms are commonly used in these programs? | Material made by the teacher and the Step Method. |
| 8. Do schoolteachers and/or chess tutors follow any special curriculum for Chess in Education? | Since 3-4 years, nothing has been happening anymore, neither in Wallonia nor in Flanders. |
| 9. Are there any training or certification programs for schoolteachers and/or chess tutors related to CiE in your country? | No. |
| 10. Any of these programs and training organised or supported by the National Chess Federation? | Education is a regional competence and therefore, the interference of the national federation is not always appreciated as it is seen as a threat to autonomy. |
| 11. Are schoolteachers and/or chess tutors required to have specific qualifications, training, or certification—either by the education system or the National Chess Federation—to be eligible to teach chess in schools, whether as part of the curriculum or as an extracurricular activity? | No. |
Impact & Evaluation
| 12. How do you evaluate or measure the effectiveness of your CiE programs (if applicable)? | I had some good results with my CLIL (content language integrated learning), as those children are more open to learn the foreign language, as they associate the language with fun activities. |
| 13. Are there any studies or evidence showing the impact of CiE in your country (if applicable)? | No |
| 14. Can you share a success story or example of impact from a student or school? | One of my first students was quite good at (competitive) chess. What I didn’t know was that he was known for being a weak pupil. Chess increased his self-confidence and apparently, his school marks increased as well. |
Vision & International Cooperation
| 15. What challenges do you face in expanding Chess in Education in your country, and what solutions are you exploring? | Respecting the (cultural and personal) desires of the people present at the regional level. |
| 16. How do you see collaboration among CiE Ambassadors enhancing your national work? | It is important, as it can make clear that even with totally different school systems, you can offer chess as a tool. |
| 17. Are there any cultural or educational factors that shape how chess is taught in your country? | What challenges do you face in expanding Chess in Education in your country, and what solutions are you exploring? |
Helmut Froeyman
25.07.2025 - 07:09Proficiat Philippe, dat heb je zeker verdiend voor je tomeloze inzet in België.
MARCEL VAN HERCK
24.07.2025 - 10:22Van harte gefeliciteerd Philippe en bedankt voor al jouw inzet.
Zijn er ook gegevens bekend van onze buurlanden over bv.
“Schaken in het onderwijs” en “Programma’s & Pedagogie”?
Ik vermoed dat wij daar nog veel over kunnen leren.
Schleck Victor
21.07.2025 - 23:18Herzlichen Glückwunsch, Philippe.
Ich wünsche dir viel Erfolg.
Halleux Daniel
18.07.2025 - 19:44Bravo Philippe !!!