Teachers in Liège protest against budget cuts by French Community
Teachers in Liège have gathered on Friday to protest against the budget cuts announced by the government of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation, the French Community of Belgium. The planned measures were symbolically described as “horrors” in this Halloween period. On 10 November, the functioning of schools in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation is expected to be significantly disrupted by a strike.
As the autumn holidays come to an end, teachers and trade unions gathered at the Place Saint-Lambert in Liège for a “ball of horrors”. The ten per cent increase in workload, which will lead to job losses, is one of their main concerns.
“There will be fewer colleagues to look after the same number of children. Pupils will have less supervision and teachers will have more work for the same salary,” stated Jorre Dewitte of trade union CGSP Enseignement.
Trade unions and teachers also denounce the “attack” on free primary education, the increase in tuition fees in higher education and, in general, the reduction in financial resources. According to Jorre Dewitte, the education sector needs an investment of 8 billion euros. “This is a sector that has suffered from disinvestment for about 30 years now,” he declared.
Leaflets entitled "école en danger, école en resistance” - “School in danger, school resisting” - were distributed to passers-by. “We must continue to inform everyone and raise awareness. That is the purpose of this gathering,” said Virginie Conceicao, a teacher at Collège Saint-Barthélemy.
Work stoppages are planned for next week in schools in Liège. A strike will take place on 10 November.
Teachers in Liège protest against measures proposed by government of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation © BELGA PHOTO LAUREANE BARBIER & BELGA VIDEO LAUREANE BARBIER