Belgium (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Schools across Belgium face major disruption next week as ACOD Onderwijs and COC plan strikes on November 25-26, 2025. 1 in 5 teachers may leave over pension reforms, warns Nancy Libert.
As VRT News reported, schools across Belgium are set to face major disruption next week as education unions announce strike actions. A formal strike notice has been filed for Tuesday, Nov 25, 2025, by the unions. On Wednesday, Nov 26, 2025, teachers may also join an interprofessional strike involving workers from many sectors.
The socialist education union has filed a separate strike notice for the same day. Officials mentioned that some teachers could take part in both actions. Nancy Libert, general secretary of ACOD Onderwijs, said the two-day strike is necessary to ensure teachers’ concerns are heard.
“There’s still discussion about the pension measures. That’s why it’s crucial to take to the streets now, before it’s too late,”
Nancy Libert says.
What disruptions will Belgian schools face during the ACOD and COC strikes?
Experts say the coordinated strikes from multiple unions and sectors will increase the impact.
“Unprecedented measures call for unprecedented action,”
Libert said. Koen Van Kerkhoven, CEO of the Christian Education Centre (COC), said the union is focusing on the strike scheduled for Tuesday, Nov 25, 2025. He also said that some teachers who are members of the COC could join Wednesday’s interprofessional strike.
He mentioned that because of this, it is not yet clear how each school will be affected. The impact may differ from school to school depending on how many teachers participate. Parents and schools are advised to prepare for possible closures or limited staff during both strike days.
A recent survey by the unions shows that 1 in 5 teachers is thinking of leaving the education sector because of federal pension reforms.
“Such an exodus would be a catastrophe for the quality of education, not just the quantity. Missing two days of class due to a strike doesn’t outweigh the potential impact on the quality of education,”
says Van Kerkhoven.
The reforms could reduce teachers’ net income by €200 to €300 per month. For school management and administrative staff, the loss could be up to €1,000 per month. The survey highlights rising concern among teachers and the growing pressure on Belgium’s schools.
Teacher strikes in Belgium have a long history. In 2001, educators organised 2-day strikes over pay, workload, and working conditions. In the early 2000s, Flemish Minister of Education Marleen Vanderpoorten introduced reforms that led to large protests across the country. Schools closed or ran with reduced staff during those strikes.
In 2011, teachers staged similar protests against pension changes and salary reforms. These strikes also lasted one or two days and affected schools nationwide. Multi-day strikes over pensions and reforms have been common in Belgium for more than 20 years.