Namur Schools Closed After ‘Very Alarming’ Threats Amid French-Speaking Education Protests
Several secondary schools in Namur, the capital of Wallonia, were closed on Friday after receiving what authorities described as “very alarming threats” posted on social media, prompting a heightened police presence across the city. The closures come against the backdrop of escalating protests over €300 million in budget cuts to French-speaking education in Belgium.
According to Het Laatste Nieuws, the threats were circulated in a social media group called “GTA 7 Namur,” where individuals claimed they would set school buildings on fire and carry out knife attacks, with messages stating the violence would be “worse than ISIS.” Acting Mayor Charlotte Bazelaire (Les Engagés) advised schools to remain closed as a precaution and recommended parents not let their children walk alone in the city.
The Threats and Immediate Response
Student Samuel of the University of Namur told RTL Info that he received “very frightening screenshots about knife attacks on a secondary school.” He added: “People are talking about attacking everyone and murdering teachers. It is very serious.”
VRT NWS confirmed that at least two schools were closed, with others taking precautionary measures or opening under enhanced security with police assistance. The acting mayor stated that police are actively investigating the source of the intimidation, while extra officers patrol the streets and monitor school buildings.
Escalation Day: Violent Protests in Brussels
The school closures follow a dramatic escalation on Thursday, June 4, when approximately 3,000 teachers and students gathered at Brussels-Central Station to protest the so-called “Glatigny decree” — the government’s education budget cuts. The protest turned violent, with fires set at the station, bike racks and other objects burned, and the fire brigade attacked with projectiles. Police deployed tear gas and water cannons to disperse the crowd.
Protesters later breached the Parliament of the French Community building, setting off smoke bombs inside and forcing a temporary suspension of proceedings. The Dutch public broadcaster NOS reported that ten people were arrested in Brussels, while in Namur, 14 teenagers were arrested during student protests that were largely peaceful but infiltrated by troublemakers throwing cobblestones and setting off fireworks.
Budget Cuts Approved Despite Unrest
Overnight from Thursday to Friday, after a marathon 14-hour session, the Parliament of the French Community definitively approved the budget cuts. BRUZZ reported that the majority parties (MR and Les Engagés) voted in favor while the opposition voted against. The measures include increased teaching hours for secondary school teachers from 20 to 22 hours per week without salary compensation, the abolition of tenure for new teachers from September 2027, reduced sick leave flexibility, higher registration fees for higher education (up to €1,200), and larger class sizes.
Minister-President Elisabeth Degryse (Les Engagés) defended the measures as “necessary for the survival of education in the long term,” while critics argue the decree was pushed through via an accelerated procedure without proper committee approval, calling it “undemocratic.”
Analysis and Implications
The convergence of violent protests, parliamentary approval of deeply unpopular cuts, and now direct threats against schools represents a significant escalation in Belgium’s French-speaking education crisis. Teachers and unions warn that the cuts will make the profession unattractive, potentially leading to a severe teacher shortage. As one teacher from Liège told VRT NWS: “Cuts are being made to a group of young people who have already experienced so many crises. After COVID, they have ended up in a world that is increasingly complicated.”
With the budget cuts now approved and a new student protest reportedly forming in Brussels, the immediate outlook suggests further unrest. The use of social media to spread threats against schools introduces a new and concerning dimension to the crisis, raising questions about who is behind the “GTA 7 Namur” group and whether this intimidation campaign will spread to other cities.
What to Watch For
Authorities in Namur continue their investigation into the source of the threats, while schools weigh security options for the days ahead. The end of the school year and upcoming exams may face further disruption as the education community grapples with the implications of the newly approved reforms.