At least 2,000 demonstrators are expected for an education action in Antwerp on Tuesday

At least 2,000 demonstrators will participate in the first day of action of the education unions ACOD Education, COC and VSOA Education out of dissatisfaction with the report of the Commission of the Wise, which will take place on Tuesday in Antwerp. This is evident from surveys conducted by trade unions among their members.

The three education unions are organizing five demonstrations in May, each on a different day in a different city in all Flemish provinces. Next Tuesday it will be Antwerp’s turn and the first figures show that the attendance will be large, the Christian Education Center (COC) reports in a press release.

“While it was initially hoped for 1,000 demonstrators spread across five provinces, 2,000 demonstrators are currently expected in Antwerp alone,” says COC secretary general Koen Van Kerkhoven. ‘That’s unprecedented! And the counters don’t stand still.’

The demonstrators are largely teachers, but also staff from CLBs and learning support centers, according to Van Kerkhoven.

The consequences for education in Antwerp will be significant, it sounds. Countless lessons will not be able to continue. Some schools will organize emergency care and others will be forced to switch to distance learning due to the lack of staff.

After Antwerp, actions will follow in Ostend on Wednesday, May 8 at Sint-Petrus-en-Paulusplein at 10 a.m., Leuven on Monday, May 13 at Martelarenplein at 10 a.m., Hasselt on Tuesday, May 14 at Molenpoortplein at 1 p.m. and finally Ghent on Wednesday, May 15 in Citadel Park at 10 a.m.