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High school students held a street protest in Liège, Belgium, on the 7th (local time) to oppose education reform measures and tuition hikes introduced by the Wallonia-Brussels Federation government. Protesters are seen attempting to push an electric scooter into a burning barrier on the road. / Reuters, Yonhap

Student protests demanding improvements in educational conditions erupted in the eastern Belgian city of Liège, prompting local security authorities to step up their alert status, Reuters reported on the 7th (local time).

According to local media reports, a total of 107 people were arrested over recent days at protest sites on charges including property damage and arson.

The Belgian government's official alert system, BE-Alert, advised merchants to close their businesses early, while Liège-Guillemins central station was temporarily shut down, causing disruptions to downtown traffic and public movement.

Police urged residents to refrain from entering the city center and conducted stop-and-search checks on participants at the scene.

The protests were triggered by backlash against reform plans introduced by French-speaking educational authorities, particularly plans to raise tuition fees. Belgium recognizes French and Dutch as its official languages.

In addition to rising educational costs, participating students pointed to overcrowded classrooms and diminished access to learning materials as key grievances.

According to student interviews, protesters were also influenced by the wave of student movements in neighboring France, where youth are grappling with similar issues.

Tensions also flared on social media as video footage surfaced showing property damage and evidence of arson at several facilities.

Liège Mayor Willy Demeyer emphasized the importance of restoring public order in remarks to public broadcaster RTBF, expressing hope that through dialogue, the voices of the youth can be conveyed and discussed in a peaceful manner.

                                                                                                           Lee Jeong-eun