More than 100 people have been arrested following student protests in Liège, Belgium, against rising education costs and government education reforms.

Demonstrators protested overcrowded classrooms, limited access to learning materials and increased tuition fees in French-speaking areas of the country.

Some demonstrations turned violent, with protesters damaging property, smashing shop windows and setting fires.

Students said they were inspired in part by similar protests in neighboring France, where young people have also demanded better school conditions and increased education funding, Al-Jazeera has reported.

Liège officials called for calm and urged students to express their concerns peacefully while authorities seek to ease tensions.