Liège Teachers Rally Against Wallonia-Brussels Budget Cuts

Approximately 250 teachers gathered Friday at noon on Place Saint-Lambert in Liège to protest budget cuts and reforms imposed by the government of the Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles (FWB), according to RTBF. The grassroots action, which was not called by unions, saw 23 schools across the province of Liège participate in strikes or work stoppages, some entirely closed for the day.

The demonstration marks the latest escalation in a months-long conflict between educators and the MR-Engagés coalition government over approximately 700 million euros in savings measures scheduled through 2029. The FWB Parliament definitively validated the education savings plan on the night of June 4-5 after a 14-hour marathon debate, setting the stage for the current wave of unrest.

Teachers Voice Long-Term Concerns

Speaking at the rally, Nathanaël Brugmans, a professor at Athénée de Léonie de Waha, told La Libre that educators recognize the struggle ahead. “We realize we’re in this for the long term,” he said. “Teachers are already thinking about new forms of mobilization to maintain their unity and the balance of power with the government.”

Mathieu, a history professor who gave only his first name, framed the issue in broader societal terms. “School concerns all of society,” he said. “When you disinvest, you pay for it at the societal level.” Another teacher quoted by La Libre was more blunt: “We’re suffering what was done in June, it’s terrifying for what comes next.”

Catherine Sacré, an English teacher at Waha, denounced what she called “mistreatment” of teachers, describing colleagues pushed into precariousness and teams “unraveled.” She noted that some students now have up to three different teachers for the same subject due to staffing instability.

Contested Reforms at the Heart of the Conflict

The mobilization targets several specific measures championed by Education Minister Valérie Glatigny (MR). These include the end of lifetime appointments for new teachers starting in 2027, an increase in teaching hours from 20 to 22 periods weekly in upper secondary education, and broader budget cuts affecting school operations and support staff.

The protest also reflects growing frustration with the political process. The FWB Parliament’s June validation of the savings plan came after months of massive teacher mobilization across French-speaking Belgium, including a 4,500-strong march in Liège in April.

Union Relations at Breaking Point

The demonstration came just days after a failed meeting between unions and Minister Glatigny on September 1. According to RTL Info, the main unions—CSC, CGSP, and Setca-SEL—described the encounter as “extremely disappointing,” with Roland Lahaye of CSC-Enseignement accusing the minister of having “sand in her ears.” Luc Toussaint of CGSP-Enseignement declared there was “no other solution than to intensify the movement,” while Adrien Rosman of Setca-SEL announced unions would not meet the minister again until concrete proposals are presented.

The grassroots collective Mars Attacks, which emerged during the spring protests, has become a key driver of continued action. At its general assembly on September 1, over 70 teachers from across Wallonia and Brussels gathered to plan next steps. Maud De Ridder, a French teacher and collective member, vowed: “We’re off for a second battle because the war isn’t over, we’ll hold out until 2030.”

Impact on Students and Families

As strikes continue, parents are expressing growing anxiety. One mother told RTL Info that she drops her children at school at 8 a.m. in full confidence, expecting them to stay until 4 p.m. “I’m not at all reassured not knowing what their day will look like,” she said.

At the Athénée Royal d’Ans, where about 30 teachers have been on strike for a week, director Céline Burtin said union negotiations are ongoing and expressed hope for agreements that would allow schools to welcome students normally from next week. Patrick Zeoli, a French teacher at the school, described the pattern of ongoing disruption: “There are many schools that, even if they don’t go on full strike, have daily work stoppages or one strike day per week.”

Political Tensions Within the Coalition

The education crisis has become what La Libre describes as “the Achilles heel” of the MR-Engagés coalition. The MR favors massive successive reforms and views intermediate bodies with suspicion, while Les Engagés—historically close to teachers through their démocrate-humaniste heritage—advocate for constant dialogue with the sector. This internal tension has made the crisis particularly difficult to resolve.

What’s Next

Teachers and unions are now looking toward two key dates. A large demonstration called by unions in common front is planned for September 10 in Liège, with organizers inviting all regions of Wallonia to participate. Johan Van De Plas, a teacher at Friday’s rally, said: “This action is here to show that teachers are still committed.”

September 27—the anniversary of the FWB—is another symbolic date targeted for further actions. Sébastien Demarche of Mars Attacks questioned whether the federation should be celebrated “after everything it’s just done to the education world.” Meanwhile, Minister Glatigny has scheduled another meeting with unions for October 13, though union leaders have signaled they will not attend without concrete proposals on the table.

As the new school year unfolds under the shadow of sustained disruption, the conflict between Belgium’s French-speaking educators and their government shows no signs of abating. With teachers vowing to hold out until 2030 and the government committed to its savings trajectory, the coming weeks will test both sides’ resolve.