Around 30 student organisations protested outside of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation on Wednesday afternoon to demand €2 school meals. There were 20 or so students and representatives participating in the rally.
The students demand that the Minister of Higher Education, Valérie Glatigny (MR), release the funds necessary for guaranteed access to healthy and affordable meals. The students feel that this is necessary to accomplish the best study conditions.
Most of the student councils of Wallonia-Brussels signed a letter addressed to Glatigny asking her to join the fight against food security. The letter asked that the Minister guarantee €2 meals for all students in higher education.
Federation des Etudiant.e.s Francophones (FEF) demanded during a rally in Brussels, Wednesday 26 April 2023. Credit: Belga / Adrian Burtin
To get their point across, the demonstrators set up banquet tables with empty cups and plates as they sang and read testimonies from struggling students. The students shared testimonies of students forced to stop their studies due to their precariousness.
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The President of the Federation of Francophone Students (FEF), Emila Hoxhaj, believes that establishing €2 meals is possible, but it just requires funding. The Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB) implemented a similar meal plan at the beginning of the year during the energy crisis.
Federation des Etudiant.e.s Francophones (FEF) demanded during a rally in Brussels, Wednesday 26 April 2023. Credit: Belga / Adrian Burtin
"You have the responsibility and skills to do it," said FEF in a press release. "This measure has proven itself at ULB, with undeniable success, which can only be beneficial in these times." The measures require a budget that the establishments do not have.
A survey conducted by FEF shows that 90% of students consider studying in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation to be too expensive as inflation increases. The students hope that the government will decree guaranteed access to hot meals for €2, as well as support for the development of canteens.
