High school students across France are preparing to intensify their campaign for improved learning conditions, with fresh demonstrations expected as they seek to sustain a protest movement that began in mid-September.
The planned rallies could prove crucial to the future of the demonstrations, which the French government believes may be losing momentum.
On Friday, the Education Ministry reported a significant reduction in school blockades and gatherings outside lycees, the institutions where students typically aged between 15 and 18 complete their secondary education. According to the ministry, more than 96 per cent of the schools were open that day.
The government is also eager to bring the unrest to an end amid growing calls on social media for a nationwide demonstration against the rising cost of living next Saturday.
The planned action has revived concerns within President Emmanuel Macron’s administration about a possible return of the Yellow Vest movement, which erupted in 2018 over a proposed increase in fuel taxes. The demonstrations escalated into mass protests and violent confrontations with police, creating one of the biggest political challenges of Macron’s first term.
Meanwhile, authorities are assessing the financial and security implications of the ongoing student protests. A government source told journalists last week that the cost of damage caused by the demonstrations was estimated at no less than €30 million.
The Justice Ministry also disclosed on Friday that more than 6,800 people had been arrested since the protests began, with minors accounting for 86 per cent of those detained.
The demonstrations have also raised concerns over police conduct following confrontations between riot officers and students that left some protesters seriously injured. In response to public criticism, the government suspended the use of stun grenades after one student lost a hand during the unrest.
Police are currently investigating 18 suspected cases of misconduct involving officers.
In an attempt to address the students’ grievances, the government announced several measures last week. Education Minister Edouard Geffray said on Thursday that approximately 3,000 substitute teachers would be deployed in the coming days to fill staffing gaps at 114 high schools most affected by the shortages.
Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu also pledged on Sunday to adjust aspects of the proposed 2027 budget to accommodate some of the students’ demands. The commitments followed the establishment of an online platform designed to gather students’ opinions and concerns.
However, student groups leading the demonstrations have dismissed the initial concessions as inadequate. The Union of High School Students described the government’s announcements as “crumbs” and maintained its demand for an additional €10 million investment in the country’s high schools.
Meanwhile, medical students are expressing concern that continued school blockades could interfere with examinations scheduled to begin on Monday. The tests are an important stage in determining the specialisations students will eventually pursue, and the medical students have warned against disruptions to the process.
The protests have attracted significant participation in recent days. Figures from the Interior Ministry showed that 71,500 people took part in demonstrations last Thursday, while nearly 256,000 participated in the previous Tuesday’s nationwide action.
Public support for the students also appears substantial. A poll conducted by Ipsos-BVA and published on Sunday found that 54 per cent of respondents supported the demonstrations.
The survey indicated that concerns over overcrowded classrooms and the poor condition of ageing school buildings were among the issues that attracted the greatest public sympathy
