Since the beginning of October 2026, secondary school students in the French-speaking region of Belgium have been protesting against a new education reform passed by the parliament. The reform has sparked widespread demonstrations, with students walking out of classes and gathering in public spaces to express their discontent. The changes proposed by the government include adjustments to the structure of the school year, the distribution of teaching hours, and the evaluation methods used to assess student performance. The protests have drawn attention from both local and international media, with some observers drawing comparisons to the student-led movements in France. In France, high school students have been demonstrating for several months against similar reforms, particularly those related to the baccalaureate exam and the overall structure of secondary education. However, Belgian students emphasize that their movement is distinct and rooted in their own specific concerns. Belgian students argue that the reform does not adequately address the challenges they face, such as the increasing workload, the pressure to perform, and the lack of support for students with diverse learning needs. They are calling for a more flexible curriculum, better mental health resources, and a more equitable distribution of teaching resources across different regions. The government has responded by stating that the reform is necessary to modernize the education system and ensure it meets the needs of the labor market. However, student leaders have rejected this reasoning, insisting that the reform was implemented without sufficient consultation with the students themselves. As the protests continue, the situation remains tense, with both sides showing no immediate signs of compromise.