Schoolchildren and students in Brussels have launched protests against severe reductions in funding for French-language education, with participants citing a critical shortage of teachers and essential learning resources.
“We don’t have enough resources: there are no laptops, there is a shortage of teachers. There are simply no teachers in certain subjects,” said one demonstrator at the protest site.
The youth activists condemned austerity measures introduced by Education Minister Valerie Glatigny, reporting that chemistry classes have been canceled since September due to teacher shortages. The demonstration began near the Leon Lepage School, where participants attempted to block streets with barriers and deployed firecrackers and flares during the gathering.
After moving to Brussels Central Station, protesters joined forces with members of a major trade union and student movement. Law enforcement officers used specialized equipment to disperse the crowd following the release of fireworks.
