Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – On Monday, Nov 10, 2025, in Brussels, police charged teachers who stayed at Surlet de Chokier Square after protesting reforms by Walloon Education Minister Valérie Glatigny (MR); no arrests were made.
As Niewsblade News reported, on Monday, Nov 10, 2025, French-speaking teachers protested at Surlet de Chokier Square in Brussels against reforms by Walloon Education Minister Valérie Glatigny (MR).
Officials mentioned that the Brussels gathering was scheduled from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m., but the crowd grew as the morning went on. This led to an unplanned march from the Madou metro station to the Botanical Garden and back to the square. The procession caused traffic disruptions along the route.
What are French-speaking teachers protesting in Brussels over Glatigny’s reforms?
At 11:00 a.m., police asked organisers to clear the square. Many protesters stayed, reportedly still in talks with Minister Glatigny. Demonstrators said they did not receive the warning and were still present around 11:30 a.m.
Police then formed a line to move the protesters toward Madou Square. A police officer said the action was needed because protesters blocked traffic without permission. About 10 identity checks were carried out, but no arrests were made.
“I didn’t understand it,
a teacher explained to Belga.
“We had to leave, and suddenly the police charged. I was there with students. I’m still shocked.”
Teachers in French-speaking Belgium have been protesting recent education reforms for several weeks. At the end of October 2025, Walloon Education Minister Valérie Glatigny (MR) announced a series of austerity measures. They increase teaching hours for secondary and higher education teachers without additional pay. Other changes include cuts to the materials budget, higher school fees, and the removal of free education for the youngest pupils.
Union representatives, including Lejeune, say the constant changes create “enormous mental pressure”. They also say the measures were introduced without proper consultation after unsuccessful negotiations.
“When she adds two hours to the workday for teachers in higher education, she doesn’t realise that this means more students, more parents, and more meetings. This will lead to 1,500 fewer jobs,”
says Fabrice Pinna of the CSC teachers’ union.
In recent months, teachers’ unions have held several demonstrations to protest government cuts and pension reforms. They have announced a 3-day national strike from November 24, 2025, to November 26, 2025. Large numbers of participants are expected across Wallonia and Brussels. The unions say the strike aims to pressure the government to reconsider its education policies.
“Education has been hit by a succession of measures for years,”
says Hugo Lejeune, a union representative for the SLFP education union.
Similar teacher protests have previously taken place in French-speaking Belgium. In 2023, educators in Wallonia undertook strikes and demonstrations against budget cuts and pension reforms. Schools in Namur, Liège, and Brussels closed briefly as dozens of teachers marched through the streets to demand better pay, working conditions, and involvement in policy changes.
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