800 teachers mobilized in Tournai
In Tournai, the mobilization began in the early hours of the morning, on the station square, with the aim of raising awareness among the general public, and especially parents, about fears for the future of quality education. 800 teachers mobilized.
“Many people still reduce teachers to lazy people, with three months of leave, 26 hours of work per week… when that is not at all the case, notes Véronique (Setca), teacher in a secondary school in Tournai. If we are mobilizing today, it is for the future of our young people and our children! It is sad to see that we are looking for money at all costs, on the backs of teachers, but also of students…”
Teachers particularly point to the reduction in qualifying teaching resources. The removal of the differentiated first year worries them. The plan to offer permanent contracts is also far from unanimous.
gullIt is sad to see that we are looking for money at all costs, on the backs of teachers, but also of students…
Several hundred teachers gathered in Wavre, leaflets distributed
Hundreds of teachers met in Wavre very early this morning to protest against the program decree which must regulate education from next year. They came from everywhere and in particular from Ottignies-Louvain-la-Neuve.
“This is the first time I have demonstratedindicates a teacher from the Institute of Providence in Wavre. This means that the new measures worry us.”
Leaflets were distributed to parents and motorists.
Strong mobilization in the Verviers region
In the Verviers region, the mobilization is impressive. Last week, more than 2,000 teachers were announced on strike.
In Verviers, early this morning, there were already more than 300 people leaving the Verdi Athenaeum to block intersections and adjacent streets under police supervision. In Herve, ESH (Secondary Education of Herve) was also blocked, while “it’s not a school that usually mobilizes very hard“, declared Fabien Crutzen, union representative for the CSC Education in Verviers.
“I have been permanent for 8 years and I have never seen such mobilization. The political parties which obtained the majority in the last elections spoke of restoring the image of qualifying education but we see that they want to reduce the number of jobs and close options… while saying not to touch the ‘essential. So what, it’s not essential qualifying it? Teachers are extremely shocked by the first measures, and this is only a first wave.“
gullTeachers are extremely shocked by the first measures, and this is only a first wave
450 teachers march in Marche-en-Famenne, the 7th technology under threat
There were people, from 8 a.m., on the picket set up in the courtyard of the Saint-Roch Institute. Local teachers reinforced by numerous colleagues from other Marche schools, but also from primary schools in the town and the region. Braziers, concerts of whistles, calicoes… were obviously out.
“We installed a filter stake because, here, classes are being given despite our action. The idea is really to make parents aware of the risks for their children if all these measures envisaged by the Wallonia-Brussels Federation come into force. They could already impact us next year, indicates Arnaud Labyt, interregional permanent representative for CSC Education.
At the Saint-Roch Institute, it is the future of the 7th technical qualification class that is at stake. “Effectively, our 7th work-study qualification class for mastery of industrial automated systems, which currently completes the training of our automation mechanics and maintenance electricians, is clearly threatened, specifies director Pascale Lejeune. Regarding our 7th professional classes, 25% of our students could no longer be registered because they already hold a CES or a CQ. Where will these young people go when we already know all the mobility problems encountered in our province?
gullThe idea is really to make parents aware of the risks for their children if all these measures envisaged by the Wallonia-Brussels Federation come into force.
Qualifying: 26 secondary schools out of 36 in the province of Luxembourg
Still in the province of Luxembourg, a gathering took place at Libramont station. From 7:30 a.m., among the students and workers who were taking or getting off the train, the men and women dressed in green, red and blue distributed leaflets before deploying for other actions.
Vincent Merken, permanent regional CGSP Enseignement Luxembourg: “For years we have been trying to raise awareness among public opinion and politicians about the increasingly difficult working conditions of teachers. We are talking about administrative overload, class sizes that are too large or even permanent contracts which are now offered instead of current appointments, which provided security for teachers. The latter are not happy and they are ready to move, but this is a profession that does not give up easily, often out of scruples about leaving students alone in class and out of concerns for professional conscience. But then we understood that the vase was full and that we had to move“.
The action, carried out in Libramont, Bastogne, Marche-en-Famenne and Arlon, also aims to reach parents, since it is indeed the future of their children. “We want to inform them as much as possible about these new measures.comments Thierry Rolland, union representative of the CSC Enseignement Luxembourg. For the moment, these measures affect qualifications and higher education institutions. Of the 36 secondary schools in the province of Luxembourg, 26 offer qualifications and it is to these that the government will first touch. Students will be directly impacted in their learning. Luxembourg has a few urban centers and a lot of rurality. Mobility will be an issue of tomorrow, even more than today. Good luck finding a school that will offer choice to children in the province of Luxembourg. There will still be some, but it will be much more complicated.“
gullOf the 36 secondary schools in the province of Luxembourg, 26 offer qualifications and it is to these that the government will first touch. Students will be directly impacted in their learning.
A procession of 3,000 people in Liège
Liège teachers were in number this Tuesday. Around 3,000 people, according to the police, formed a large procession which headed towards Place Saint-Lambert. They blocked traffic somewhat before dispersing.
Other actions were planned: strike pickets in front of schools, several occupied bridges and distribution of leaflets in front of ULiège.
Valérie Glatigny and Elisabeth Degryse in the viewfinder
A meeting was planned between Valérie Glatigny and the unions this Tuesday morning, as is the case at regular intervals, but the CSC did not attend, preferring to stand alongside the striking teachers.
Roland Lahaye, general secretary of the CSC Education, is not kind to the Azur government (MR-Engagés) and Minister Glatigny. “The consultation she speaks of is not what we have been accustomed to in education for years. In six months, she alienated everyone“, he charges.
The CSC Enseignement has, according to Roland Lahaye, no more links with the Engagés (the former PSC then cdH). “I suggest to Elisabeth Degryse that she take a dictionary and find the definition of the word social. The Engaged play a dangerous game by taking measures that we never imagined could one day be in their heads.“
gullThe Committed play a dangerous game by taking measures that we never imagined could one day be in their heads
Large-scale mobilization also in Nivelles
A hearse, a coffin, wreaths of flowers, torches, the funeral procession was larger than life, Tuesday morning in Nivelles, leaving from Sainte-Gertrude college. However, the participants were as much angry as they were sad, and there was no respectful whispering in the ranks. “Glatigny, wake up, we don’t want your decree!”, “MR-Engaged, the school is in danger!”chanted the walkers behind the coffin.
“Teachers came from all the schools in Nivellesconfirmed Xavier Toussaint, noting the success of the mobilization. The legislative process of the decree follows an infernal pace. Usually, we take the time to negotiate, but here, it’s a hassle, with a debate in plenary session announced for December 11. It is haste when all the actors in education are against this text: the organizing authorities, parents, teachers and staff, the French-speaking Student Federation (FEF), the Research Academy and of higher education. We were told that we wanted to make qualifying a sector of excellence, and we are reducing resources. This is intolerable! We are asking for the return of real consultation.”
Support from the population in Huy for teachers
Dozens (if not hundreds) of teachers gathered in Huy to demonstrate this Tuesday morning. Gathered on Square Henrion from 10 a.m., this green and red tide (and a little bit blue) quickly headed towards the Arona quay, not to block traffic (because that is prohibited), but simply to increase the number of crossings for pedestrians, just to slow down the cars. But not too much either. “The goal is for people to be with us. And not against us.”
And to motorists, they wave their horns to show their support. And most respond favorably, with more or less enthusiasm, to the request. Teachers also distribute leaflets in which they explain their demands. And the list goes on. “We are firstly opposed to the announcement of the abolition of appointments within the civil service and therefore of education, comments Clara Beelen, CGSP Education union representative for the Huy-Waremme district. It is very serious because it affects democracy linked to the public service.”
