Belgium is facing protests by students expressing their concern about the future of education, the climate crisis, and the uncertainties heightened by the post-pandemic period

Hundreds of students blocked the entrances to several schools in Liège, Belgium, to express their concern about the future of education, the climate crisis, and the uncertainties heightened by the post-pandemic period.

Protesters gathered in front of institutions such as Collège Saint-Barthélemy and Lycée Léonie de Waha. In the area of Lycée Liège-Atlas, police reported traffic disruptions. Students used rubbish bins to form barricades, displayed signs, and chanted slogans.

Rudi Creeten, the head of Lycée Léonie de Waha, said that the atmosphere was generally peaceful and conducted in good faith. He said that teachers had guaranteed the participants’ safety and that the students’ concerns were legitimate, following the Covid-19 pandemic and in the context of the climate crisis and political decisions concerning education.

Isolated incidents were reported at some schools. Police officers said that firecrackers and eggs had been thrown, while firefighters intervened in Chênée and Herstal, where several scooters were set on fire near the protest areas.

The demonstrations are taking place against a backdrop of social and educational tensions in the French-speaking community, including protests in France. In Belgium, the actions have so far remained more limited, while in France the protests have led to the blocking of hundreds of schools and more extensive clashes.