"Hundreds of demonstrators gathered in Madrid on Thursday amid growing frustration over the regional government's proposed education budget, with students calling for increased funding and fairer access for public schools. Footage shows large crowds chanting and lighting flares, with many holding signs reading 'The university is not for sale' and 'Public school for everyone.' The two-day demonstration, organised by student unions from Madrid's six universities, criticised regional president Isabel Diaz Ayuso's planned budget, which allocates only a small increase in public education funding. Activists describe the plans as inadequate and deem the funding measures as an attack on public education, with neighbouring regions investing more in the sector. The regional government argue that the proposal will allow for an increase of 75 million euros in the sector and includes a 6.5 per cent boost in funding for universities compared to last year."