European students block schools and set fire to transport

Conflict escalation in France: from teachers to the streets

Large-scale protest actions by pupils, students and education sector workers have swept across several European countries. The main causes of dissatisfaction are cuts to sector funding, a severe shortage of staff and planned reforms. In some cities, demonstrations are accompanied by arson, property damage and clashes with police.

In France, the wave of protests began after a strike by teachers at the Saint-Exupéry Lyceum, located near Paris, on 17 September. Lecturers drew attention to staff shortages in various subjects, and pupils joined the actions in their support. Later, the demonstrators' demands expanded: they began raising issues of excessive academic workload, the poor condition of school buildings and difficulties in accessing higher education.

On 8 October, senior school students again took to the streets and blocked educational institutions. Mass rallies took place in Lille, Rennes, Nantes, Lyon, Toulon and Marseille. In the capital, march participants reached Place de la Bastille. Despite statements by French President Emmanuel Macron about his readiness to take protesters' demands into account, the actions have not stopped. Among the symbols used by participants, Palestinian flags and communist attributes are noticeable.

Belgium: blockades and use of special means

In Belgium, protests began on 1 October in the French-speaking part of the country. Pupils, students and educators are protesting against cuts to the education budget, increased workload for teachers and rising tuition fees at universities.

In the city of Liège, demonstrators blocked educational institutions, damaged property and set fire to objects, including buses. Police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse the crowd.