SAEDNEWS: Student protests have expanded from France into Belgium, where demonstrations over poor education conditions in the Liege region on Monday were disrupted by vandalism, fires, and arrests.
According to Saednews, Student unrest has intensified following weeks of violent school protests across France. The demonstrations began in mid-September as students protested teacher shortages, overcrowded classrooms, deteriorating school buildings, and long school days. Belgian students have voiced similar concerns while also objecting to local education reforms, rising public transportation costs, and higher tuition fees, RT reported.
Hundreds of students gathered outside schools across Liège, blocking entrances and marching through the city. Shops in the city center closed as a precaution, while some protesters attempted to damage the shutters of the Saint-Michel Institute. Firefighters also reported scooter fires in the nearby areas of Herstal and Chênée.
Local media reported that police made 16 arrests on Monday. Officers also found glass bottles and pieces of fabric in some protesters’ bags, which they said could potentially be used to make Molotov cocktails. However, no flammable substances were found.
In France, nearly 2,000 people were arrested last Thursday, while more than 300 law enforcement officers were injured. School staff and students were also injured, leading to investigations by police oversight authorities.
The disruption continued on Monday, with France’s Education Ministry reporting protests at 413 secondary schools.
Despite the violence, student organizations say they plan to continue calling for increased education funding, more replacement teachers, smaller classes, and lighter school schedules. Supporters argue that poorly maintained facilities and excessive workloads have created unacceptable learning conditions.
Critics, however, have questioned whether vandalism and attacks on school staff help advance the students’ demands. Some have also ridiculed complaints about classes starting at 8:00 a.m., frequent tests, and restrictions on mobile phone use, arguing that early mornings, studying, and following school rules are normal expectations.
The protests have also triggered a political dispute in France. The government has accused the left-wing France Unbowed party of helping organize the demonstrations after its lawmakers visited school blockades. The party denies the accusation and instead blames government neglect for students’ frustration. Its leader, Jean-Luc Mélenchon, has called for nonviolent action.
The student demonstrations are taking place alongside broader public-sector protests against spending cuts involving teachers, healthcare workers, firefighters, and transportation workers. The unrest has increased pressure on President Emmanuel Macron, whose approval rating has stood at around 16–18% in recent polls.
