Some 200 people demonstrated in central Brussels on Tuesday afternoon against the precarious conditions of students following the reinstatement of a previous education decree.
The action took place following a call from the Federation of French-speaking Students (FEF). The march began at Brussels-Central railway station and ended at Place Surlet de Chokier, where the French Community Government is located. A small delegation was received by the cabinet of Minister-President Elisabeth Degryse (Les Engagés).
Last year, an alternative majority of PS-Ecolo-PTB relaxed rules within a decree which regulates conditions in higher education such as the study credit requirements as well as financial support. This amended the Vice-President Valérie Glatigny's (MR) reform of what is known as the Paysage decree.
However, this adjustment was valid only for the 2024-25 academic year. The amendments were reversed following last year's elections. For the upcoming academic year, the stricter 'Glatigny rules' will be reapplied.
The FEF is concerned about the impact of the decision. The Federation fears that these rules will lead to "massive exclusions" of students in September, particularly those from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds who often need to balance their studies alongside a part-time job.
