Thousands Rally in Brussels to Defend Public Education: ETUCE Stands in Solidarity
On Sunday 25 January, around 10.000 marched through the streets of Brussels to defend the future of public education and stand against policies that threaten the well‑being of students, families, and education workers.
Under bright winter sunshine, parents, teachers, students, and members of civil society walked together from Gare du Nord to Place Surlet de Chokier, carrying a clear message: public education must be protected, strengthened, and properly funded. The march was supported by a broad coalition of organisations, including ETUCE member organisation CSC Enseignement, whose mobilisation helped make this first large‑scale citizen action a powerful moment for the sector.
CSC Enseignement’s General Secretary, Roland Lahaye, described the mobilisation as “a turning point”, highlighting the widespread concern about the pressures facing families, schools, and young people.
ETUCE fully supports this mobilisation and applauds the commitment shown by educators, students, families, and allies who took to the streets to defend the right to free, high‑quality, inclusive public education. Their demands echo the principles of our European and global movement: investing in public education is essential for safeguarding democracy, reducing inequalities, and ensuring a future where every learner can thrive.
This mobilisation in Belgium aligns strongly with the broader global effort led by Education International through the campaign “The Public Good: Together We Build Education!”, calling on governments everywhere to prioritise public education as a fundamental public good.
ETUCE stands firmly with CSC Enseignement and all education workers in Belgium. We will continue supporting their efforts to ensure that public education is valued, protected, and adequately funded, now and in the months of action ahead.
