University students in Belgium protested tuition increases and budget cuts in education

According to the national press, the action was taken as a reaction to the increase of annual fees in Belgium's French-language higher education institutions by 43 percent this academic year, from 835 euros to 1194 euros.

Students also opposed the reform of the French education system and cuts in education. Criticizing the resources allocated for education, students drew attention to the federal government's military investment plan of 34 billion euros until 2034.

A group of students on campus established two symbolic entrance gates on campus in the protest they organized with the slogan "Choose your budget".

While the door decorated with military camouflage patterns and written "Education and war for the elite" opened to a dead end, the other door written "Free and quality education" led to stands where information was given about student movements.

Organizers stated that they criticized the government's budget policies for opening the door to a dead end.

Brochures containing an invitation to participate in the demonstration to be held on November 17, International Students' Day, were distributed to the participants.

Students are also planning to organize a protest against voluntary military service on November 20 with the Service for Peace platform.

October was filled with protests

Students affected by the high school protests in France blocked the entrances of various schools in Liege and surrounding settlements on October 1, preventing the start of classes. Students demanded that a solution be found for the lack of personnel and crowded classes in education, that equal opportunities be guaranteed, and that education policies be determined by taking into account the opinions of students and parents.

During the protests, fires were lit in front of some schools and various objects were thrown at security forces.

Tens of thousands of people participated in the union actions held on October 9 in the capital Brussels. Employees, students and public officials reacted to budget cuts and the decline in purchasing power.

The demonstrations continued on 17 and 24 October. Demonstrators gathered in Brussels and Liege to protest the government's reforms as well as police interventions in previous protests. In some demonstrations, barricades were set up, roads were closed and tensions occurred with the police.

More than 600 people were detained and some were arrested during demonstrations across the country last month.