Reports

European Student Protests Highlight Education Inequality and Youth Rights Across Five Countries

Published

6 hours ago

October 21, 2026

Shorya

The issue of inequality in education, public accountability and the right to peaceful assembly has been put back on the agenda in Europe through demonstrations by students and youth-led mobilisation. While issues related to education and youth opportunities have surfaced in Spain and Greece, the FEMYSO and Étudiants Musulmans de France have voiced students or proponents in France and Belgium, respectively concerns which have been expressed in public speaking.

The developments come to light as a result of a number of national issues: funding for education, the availability of resources, housing costs and the accountability of government.

France: Student Mobilisation and Educational Inequality

On 9 October, FEMYSO released a note on behalf of a group of students who are asking for quality education in France and Belgium. The organisation addressed the issues of educational conditions, resources and the rights of the students from a perspective of social equality.

Further consideration was given on 15 October when EMF was granted opportunities for a statement titled “Ce 17 octobre, aux côtés de la jeunesse mobilisée”, which expressed support for the 17 October planned youth mobilisation. It stressed, in its message, the inequalities in educational conditions and situations in disadvantaged areas, pointing to the lack of investment as a reason for the problems that students were having.

With its announcement it has placed education and youth concerns in the middle of its public agenda in advance of the planned demonstration. But the announcement of a public call to mobilisation does not constitute responsibility for organising each demonstration linked to the wider movement.

Belgium: Demonstrations and Clashes in Brussels

Protestors turned violent in Brussels in clashes with police on 17 October. Police fired water cannon and tear gas at commotion as it included an overturned vehicle, the report said.

The events underscore the difference between the core grievance of protesters and violence at mass rallies. But one has to analyze the situation and one has to differentiate between what is supported with documentation and what are the protesters’ stated goals as relayed by the police.

FEMYSO’s advocacy for Belgian students is included within this general conversation on the issue of education and students’ rights, and does not imply the leadership of these Brussels events by FEMYSO as an organisation.

Albania: Calls for Accountability and Education Reform

FEMYSO made a statement on 18 October, condemning the students’ situation in Albania. It highlighted accountability issues, concerns about corruption, education and protection of peaceful assembly.

The group also expressed its worry over the use of unnecessary force by police and the need for accountability. Independent corroboration, such as with the use of reliable reporting in media outlets, official records and responses from relevant authorities is necessary for such allegations.

This is an example of how advocacy in and about education can be linked to broader issues of governance, respecting young people in the context of public protest and institutional trust.

Spain and Greece: Wider Youth Concerns

The form of the protests in Spain and Greece should be evaluated separately from the basis of the verified activity of FEMYSO and EMF but is part of a broader monitoring picture.

In Spain, housing affordability and the availability of opportunities have been among the concerns of what was once a young population and in Greece the education costs and student accommodation have been among the concerns discussed. Any of these may relate to broader student mobilisations, but they are not necessarily interconnected in staging a unified cross-border campaign due to similarities in the demands.

Education, Youth Participation and Freedom of Assembly

How social studies education has developed in these countries illustrates in another way these shared issues: inequities in the education, youth representation issues, economic concerns, and the right to peaceful protest.

FEMYSO’s publications reflect their views on the matter of student issues and EMF’s call for mobilisation reinforces this. Support for or solidarity with a demonstration is not sufficient to establish that the participating organisation was directly operating in that demonstration.