Police have made arrests in Liege amid vandalism, fires, and attempts to damage school property<\/p>\n
Student protests have spread from France to Belgium, with demonstrations over education conditions marred by vandalism, fires, and arrests in the Liege region on Monday.
\nThe unrest follows weeks of violent school protests across France, where students began protesting in mid-September over teacher shortages, overcrowded classrooms, deteriorating buildings, and long school days. Belgian students have raised similar grievances while also opposing local education reforms, higher public transportation costs, and rising tuition fees.
\nHundreds gathered outside schools across Liege, blocking entrances and marching through the city. Shops in the center closed as a precaution, while protesters attempted to damage shutters at the Saint-Michel Institute. Firefighters also reported scooter fires in nearby Herstal and Chenee.<\/p>\n
Bel\u00e7ika’n\u0131n Liege kentinde \u00f6\u011frenciler, h\u00fck\u00fcmet kar\u015f\u0131t\u0131 protesto g\u00f6sterileri d\u00fczenliyor. https:\/\/t.co\/peDq12gwOL\u2014 gdh (@gdhdijital) October 5, 2026<\/p>\n
Police made 16 arrests on Monday, according to local media. Officers also found glass bottles and fabric in some protesters\u2019 bags that they said could potentially be used to make Molotov cocktails, although no flammable substances were discovered.<\/p>\n
Manifestation des \u00e9tudiants de plusieurs \u00e9coles li\u00e9geoises ce vendredi place Saint-L\u00e9onard pour d\u00e9noncer la r\u00e9forme de l\u2019enseignement et l\u2019augmentation du co\u00fbt de la vie dont notamment les tarifs du bus. @DESQUESNESF @valerieglatigny @WBE_officiel @Fil_law https:\/\/t.co\/HniBxkoPgd\u2014 L-Post (@lpost10) October 2, 2026<\/p>\n
In France, nearly 2,000 people were arrested last Thursday, while more than 300 law enforcement officers were injured. School staff and students also suffered injuries, prompting police watchdog investigations.
\nThe disruption continued on Monday, with the French Education Ministry reporting protests at 413 secondary schools.<\/p>\n
Despite the violence, student organizations say they intend to continue demanding more funding, replacement teachers, smaller classes, and lighter schedules. Supporters argue that neglected facilities and excessive workloads have made learning conditions unacceptable.<\/p>\n
Read more<\/p>\n
France\u2019s \u2018high school\u2019 protests aren\u2019t what you think<\/p>\n
Critics, however, have questioned how vandalism and attacks on school staff advance their demands. Some have also mocked complaints about classes beginning at 8:00 AM, frequent tests, and restrictions on phone use, arguing that early mornings, studying, and following the rules are ordinary expectations.
\nThe unrest has also sparked a political row in France, with the government accusing the left-wing France Unbowed party of orchestrating the protests after lawmakers visited school blockades. The party rejects the allegation and blames government neglect for students\u2019 anger. Its leader, Jean-Luc Melenchon, has called for nonviolent action.
\nThe student demonstrations overlap with broader public-sector protests against spending cuts involving teachers, healthcare workers, firefighters, and transportation staff. The movements have added pressure on President Emmanuel Macron, whose approval ratings have fallen to 16-18% in recent polls.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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