Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited
Brussels, October 9, 2026, 9:35 PM — Regnum News Agency. Schoolchildren and students in Brussels protested against budget cuts for French-language education. This was reported on October 9 by Het Laatste Nieuws ( HLN ).
The protest began near the Léon-Lepage School. Those gathered protested against the austerity measures introduced by Education Minister Valérie Glatigny. Participants attempted to block one of the streets with barricades. Firecrackers and flares were also used during the demonstration.
"We lack resources: there are no laptops, and there's a teacher shortage. For some subjects, there are simply no teachers," one of the protesters told reporters.
Protesters claimed that a shortage of teachers was leading to the cancellation of classes in certain subjects. Chemistry classes had not been held in some schools since early September.
From the school, the protesters headed to Brussels Central Station, where they joined forces with participants of another large trade union and student protest. After the protesters launched fireworks, law enforcement officers used riot gear to disperse the crowd.
Since September, mass school protests have been taking place in France, fueled by student dissatisfaction with teacher shortages, overcrowded schedules, and the poor condition of educational institutions. Some of the protests have been accompanied by riots. By October 4, protesters had vandalized or set fire to 24 educational institutions, and another 400 to 500 had temporarily closed due to security threats.
To disperse demonstrations, police use tear gas, batons, and special ammunition. On October 6, law enforcement officers in Paris used strobe shields for the first time against school protesters, whose bright flashes can trigger epileptic seizures. According to French authorities, at least 215 students and 715 police officers have been injured since the protests began.
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