Not just France: where students protested against problems in education
Following the protests in France, which lasted for the fourth week, students in Belgium took to the streets. Where else took to the streets, demanding education reforms – in the material RBC
Protests by schoolchildren in France continue for the fourth week. They were joined by students, teachers and trade unions. Students are unhappy with dilapidated infrastructure, crowded classrooms, overburdened schedules, shortages of teachers and staff, and inadequate school funding.
On October 7, students marched in neighboring Belgium. They oppose problems in the French-speaking education system, including rising tuition costs, overcrowded classrooms and a shortage of teaching materials.
In which countries in recent years, schoolchildren and students have demonstrated because of dissatisfaction with the education system — in the material of RBC.
France: Protests over school conditions
Protests began in Paris in mid-September 2026 and soon spread throughout the country. Students blocked lyceums and refused to study, demanding to improve learning conditions. Among the main claims are a shortage of teachers and replacements for absent teachers, overcrowded classrooms, congested schedules and dilapidated buildings. On October 6, the largest action took place - according to the student union L'Union étudiante, 450,000 people took to the streets, the Interior Ministry estimated the number of participants in regional actions is much lower - at 256,000. Protests continue.
Belgium: Protests against reforms and rising costs of education
On October 7, 2026, hundreds of students took to the streets of Liege to protest against problems in the French-speaking education system. They complained about rising costs, overcrowded classrooms and difficulty accessing educational materials. The Belgian protests did not follow French ones: back in June, students held rallies in Brussels against education reforms, including plans to raise tuition fees for most students in the French-speaking community from €835 to €1194.
India: Protests over exam scandal
In the summer of 2026, demonstrations began after the NEET-UG entrance exam required for admission to medical universities was leaked. Authorities canceled the results of more than 1 million applicants who had to take the exam again. As a result, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned.
Morocco: Education was one of the causes of protests
At the end of September 2025, the Gen Z 212 youth movement began to protest in Morocco. Participants demanded to improve public education and health systems, fight corruption, and review public spending priorities.
Argentina: Protests against cuts in university funding
In the spring of 2024, students and faculty at Argentina’s public universities began mass protests against funding cuts under President Javier Milea. The University of Buenos Aires said inflation had reduced its operating budget in real terms by about 80%. Congress passed a law providing for increased funding for universities adjusted for inflation. However, Miley vetoed it - the lower house did not have enough votes to overcome it.
Greece: Protests against the opening of private foreign universities
In March 2024, Greek students took to the streets against a bill allowing foreign private universities to open branches in the country. Protesters say the reform could devalue public university diplomas. The demonstrations failed to stop the reform – the law was passed.
Bangladesh: Civil service recruitment quotas
In July 2024, protests began in Bangladesh against the quota system. Since the Supreme Court’s decision, more than half of the vacancies have been distributed among individual categories rather than on a competitive basis. As a result, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled the country.
