Archive · 7 Oct 2026
Belgian Students Protest Rising Education Costs, Echoing France
Hundreds of students marched in Liège, a city in eastern Belgium.
They are upset because education is becoming more expensive.
They also say classrooms are crowded and study materials can be hard to get.
Some students said protests in nearby France inspired them.
Local media reported that 107 people had been arrested, but officials had not confirmed that number.
The city’s main train station closed for a time and later reopened.
Police asked people to stay away from the centre because traffic was badly disrupted.
Liège’s mayor said he hoped students could share their concerns peacefully and be heard.
Hundreds of students protested in Liège over rising education costs, crowded classrooms and difficulty accessing study materials.
Local media reported 107 arrests in recent days, though authorities had not immediately confirmed the figure.
The main train station temporarily closed, police urged people to avoid the city centre, and BE-Alert warned of unrest.
Students said demonstrations in France influenced their movement, and some said they were in contact with French students.
The protests follow June clashes in Brussels over reforms that raised tuition for most students in Belgium’s French-speaking Community to €1,194 from €835.
- Who
- Hundreds of students in Liège; local media reported 107 arrests in recent days.
- What
- Students protested education costs, overcrowded classrooms and access to study materials.
- When
- The report was dated October 7; demonstrations and reported arrests took place in recent days.
- Where
- Liège, eastern Belgium; earlier education-related clashes took place in Brussels.
- Why
- Students objected to rising education costs, crowded classrooms and difficulty accessing study materials.
Students
Authorities
How grievances should be addressed
Students
Students protested to draw attention to education costs, overcrowded classrooms and access to study materials; some said their concerns had not led to change.
Authorities
Liège mayor Willy Demeyer said he hoped calm would return and that dialogue could allow young people to express their grievances peacefully and have them heard.
Public safety and disruption
Students
Students took to the streets, with some saying they were inspired by protests in France.
Authorities
Authorities warned of unrest, advised shopkeepers to close early, and police urged people to avoid the city centre amid severe traffic disruption.
- Reported protest turnout
- Hundreds of students
- Reported arrests
- 107 in recent days, according to local media; authorities had not immediately confirmed the figure.
- Tuition increase
- For most students in Belgium’s French-speaking Community, tuition rose to €1,194 from €835.
- Station disruption
- Liège’s main train station was closed and later reopened.
- Student concerns
- Rising education costs, overcrowded classrooms and difficulty accessing study materials.
- International influence
- Some Belgian students said they were in touch with French counterparts and were influenced by protests in France.