France and Belgium push for free school supplies amid rising costs

In Nice, the French Communist Party (PCF) led by local secretary Gilles Verrier demanded that the city provide completely free school supplies for all pupils, accusing Mayor Éric Ciotti of abandoning a previous basic‑supply programme. Verrier said, “Un enfant doit pouvoir disposer de tout le matériel nécessaire à sa scolarité, quels que soient les revenus de ses parents,” and added that families need “du pouvoir d’achat” restored.

In Belgium, a father using the pseudonym Charles warned that he must spend about €260 on textbooks for his two secondary‑school children, remarking, “Je pensais que l’école était gratuite.” The Fédération Wallonie‑Bruxelles pointed to existing aid, including the “Manolo” subsidy for schools and a network of public libraries that lend books and learning materials.

Both cases highlight growing concerns that families are bearing the cost of essential educational materials despite expectations of free public education.