Student and Teacher Unions Call Nationwide French School Strike for 10 Billion Euros in Funding
French high school students, university students, and education ministry workers are organizing a nationwide strike and day of protest for Tuesday, October 13, 2026, demanding 10 billion euros in additional funding for national education.
Ten Billion Euro Funding Demand Drives Nationwide Protests
The mobilization escalated on Thursday, October 8, 2026, when over a thousand high school and university students gathered near Place de la Bastille in Paris to demand immediate financial relief for schools. Sabine Kharbacha, a representative for the student union, told franceinfo that the movement will persist until authorities put 10 billion euros on the table. The core demands include hiring sufficient replacement teachers, renovating aging facilities, and reducing the number of empty class hours. A survey conducted by SNES-FSU at the start of the academic year showed that at least one teacher was missing in 53% of public primary and secondary schools.
Dispute Over School Blockades and Mobilization Figures
Student leaders and government officials report sharply contrasting figures regarding the scale of the school blockades. Ryads Rani, president of the Union Syndicale Lycéenne (USL), stated to AFP that two thousand high schools have been disrupted by student actions. In contrast, government data released at midday recorded that only 157 educational institutions were closed. Manona Moretas, general secretary of UNEF, described the youth mobilization as historic, stating she has not witnessed such active participation in the streets in twenty years. The movement originated in mid-September at Saint-Exupéry high school in Créteil, Val-de-Marne, where teachers walked out over staffing shortages before protests spread to Marseille, Lille, Lyon, and Rennes.
FSU Joins High School and Student Federations for October 13 Walkout
The strike call unites major student and labor organizations ahead of the October 13 action. Caroline Chevet, general secretary of the FSU, announced that all staff within the Ministry of Education and higher education institutions are invited to join the strike. Participating groups include the Student Union, UNEF, and the USL. High school students are also demanding the complete cancellation of Parcoursup, the national post-secondary admissions platform. The upcoming strike follows a public sector strike on September 29, a major demonstration on October 6 between République and Nation, and the Bastille gathering on October 8.
Government Response and Contingency Plans for Paris Schools
Sébastien Lecornu tasked ministers with implementing five priority projects on October 4, with initial evaluations expected in mid-October, while the Prime Minister addressed the public on television on October 7. Édouard Geffray, in place of the Minister of National Education, met with three major high school organizations on Thursday to promise an emergency replacement plan. Meanwhile, Paris transport operator RATP prepares for potential station closures along the protest route, which the Police Prefecture typically confirms via official order the day before the march. In primary education, municipal authorities must implement a minimum reception service when at least 25% of school staff participate in the strike.
Frequently Asked Questions About the October 13 French School Strike
What specific improvements are protesting students and teachers demanding from the government?
Protesters demand an immediate 10-billion-euro budget injection for national education, a sufficient number of replacement teachers to cover absences, school building renovations, and the cancellation of the Parcoursup admissions platform.
How are local transport and school operations affected in Paris during the strike?
RATP may close metro station platforms located along the confirmed protest route. Primary schools and secondary institutions may experience reduced operations or closures, requiring parents to check directly with their children's schools.
Which labor organizations and student unions are leading the October 13 mobilization?
The inter-union coalition includes the FSU, the student union UNEF, the Student Union, and the Union Syndicale Lycéenne (USL), uniting both educators and students in the nationwide action.