Students block Belgian university campus in protest against tuition fee hike

Students partially blocked the Solbosch campus of the Universite libre de Bruxelles (ULB) on Thursday to protest an increase in tuition fees, according to newspaper Le Soir.

The blockade began in the morning at the call of the “Gen-Z counter-attack” collective, which brings together students, student associations, researchers, teachers and university staff members.

Access to the campus remained possible for students, although some buildings were blocked, Le Soir reported.

The collective was protesting a 43% increase in annual tuition fees. According to data from the Wallonia-Brussels Federation cited by Le Soir, the increase affects 58% of higher education students.

The group also opposed reform of the landscape decree, reduced funding for lower education, rising transport costs and police interventions against young people participating in protests.

The collective had also called on ULB to cancel classes on Thursday, but its request was rejected. It also urged the university to end outsourcing, particularly for cleaning services.

[1/16] BRUSSELS, BELGIUM - OCTOBER 21: Students at the Universite Libre de Bruxelles (ULB) Solbosch Campus erect barricades and hang protest banners blocking campus entrances in Brussels, Belgium on Wednesday, October 21, 2026. Demonstrators assembled to protest planned tuition fee increases and budget cuts targeting higher education funding across the Wallonia-Brussels Federation.

Students partially blocked the Solbosch campus of the Universite libre de Bruxelles (ULB) on Thursday to protest an increase in tuition fees, according to newspaper Le Soir.

The blockade began in the morning at the call of the “Gen-Z counter-attack” collective, which brings together students, student associations, researchers, teachers and university staff members.

Access to the campus remained possible for students, although some buildings were blocked, Le Soir reported.

The collective was protesting a 43% increase in annual tuition fees. According to data from the Wallonia-Brussels Federation cited by Le Soir, the increase affects 58% of higher education students.

The group also opposed reform of the landscape decree, reduced funding for lower education, rising transport costs and police interventions against young people participating in protests.

The collective had also called on ULB to cancel classes on Thursday, but its request was rejected. It also urged the university to end outsourcing, particularly for cleaning services.

Students block Belgian university campus in protest against tuition fee hike

Students block Belgian university campus in protest against tuition fee hike

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