Student Protests and Government Response in France
France faces ongoing student mobilizations as high school and university students protest across the country, with education officials reporting 375 affected schools and a planned rally at Place de la Bastille in Paris. Three major student unions—the Union syndicale lycéenne (USL), Renouveau Lycéen, and Lycéens!—are scheduled to meet with Minister of National Education Édouard Geffray and Minister of Higher Education Philippe Baptiste, bfmtv.com reported. A static gathering is scheduled for Thursday at 15:00 at Place de la Bastille in Paris, alongside additional rallies planned in the Paris region outside the prefectures in Créteil, Bobigny, Cergy, and Nanterre. According to an Elabe poll for BFMTV, 55% of the French public approves of the mobilization, with 26% declaring they support it and 29% expressing sympathy for it.
High school disruptions decrease as unions seek meeting
The Ministry of Education reported that classes were totally or partially suspended in 375 of the country’s 3,700 high schools. This figure marks a decrease from earlier in the week, when 459 institutions experienced disruptions on Wednesday and 891 on Tuesday. Despite the dip in localized school blockages, student organizations maintain their pressure. Ryad Rani, president of the Union syndicale lycéenne, told the press outside the Ministry of Higher Education that the unions carry quantified proposals and are requesting a meeting with the Prime Minister next week.
Lecornu delays decisions until end of October
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu addressed the nation in a televised broadcast, confirming that the government will present its initial decisions addressing the student crisis at the end of October. In the interim, officials have attempted to ease tensions. Lecornu utilized the platform X to encourage students to voice grievances through dedicated online portals and proposed sessions without classes for students and staff to air difficulties. However, this initiative met resistance from the main headmasters’ union, the SNPDEN-Unsa, which declined participation until a serene climate is restored.
Minister suspends stun grenades after student injury
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez addressed the National Assembly’s law committee regarding the handling of public order, confirming the suspension of stun grenades. This decision follows an incident in Lens where a 15-year-old demonstrator suffered a severe hand injury. Nuñez defended his management of public safety before lawmakers while noting that 215 students, 89 education staff, and 761 police officers and gendarmes have sustained injuries since the movement began on September 28, alongside 6,629 arrests and 18 internal police investigations. Before the committee, Nuñez maintained his position on his handling of public order and rejected any change in doctrine, adding that law enforcement forces do not have instructions to confront high school students
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Why French students are protesting?
Why are French students protesting?
Students are mobilizing to demand concrete educational reforms, including the abolition of Parcoursup, while calling for government action on systemic school difficulties.
When will the government announce official measures?
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu stated during a televised address that the government will unveil its initial decisions responding to the student movement by the end of October.
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