Belgium – New clashes during student protests

BRUSSELS, October 6 /ATSH-DPA/ – New clashes have occurred during student protests in Belgium, as demonstrations against the state of the country’s education system continue, the Belgian news agency Belga reported.

In the city of Liège, protesters broke windows and set fire to a rubbish bin. Police then intervened, using a water cannon vehicle, which releases a strong jet of water to disperse the crowd.

The new clashes came a day after 22 police officers suffered minor injuries in the Liège area. The protesters had thrown stones and fireworks at the police.

According to reports, the protests also included road blockades and small fires.

More than 1,000 protesters gathered to express their dissatisfaction with the state of the education system.

Since the protests began last Thursday, dozens of people have been arrested, among them 17 minors.

In Hannut, west of Liège, a teenager was arrested after 15 primary school pupils suffered minor injuries from a firework during a protest yesterday morning. The children were hit by sparks that flew from the firework.

The protesters are demanding better school buildings, better conditions for learning and more suitable timetables.

In neighbouring France, too, high school students have expressed their anger at dilapidated school buildings and a lack of teachers.

The protests have now spread to universities as well. There, too, some of the demonstrations have been accompanied by clashes.