Student Union Rejects French Government's €4bn School Plan

A major student union rejected the French government's latest concessions on Monday, urging high school pupils to continue barricading their schools and taking to the streets. The directive came immediately after the state unveiled a package of education measures designed to end a crisis that has gripped the nation for over five weeks.

The conflict began in September when high school students launched blockades to protest teacher shortages and deteriorating infrastructure. The movement quickly swelled into the largest youth protest in years, joined by trade unions and cost-of-living advocates. Demonstrators have demanded an end to crumbling school buildings featuring collapsing ceilings, mould, and broken facilities.

On Monday, Education Minister Édouard Geffray acknowledged that some schools were not fit for teaching. He announced a €4bn government loan to regional authorities to fund repairs. In response to overcrowding complaints, Geffray stated that class sizes for 15-year-olds in the first year of high school would be capped at 28 in the lowest-income areas for half of schools this year, expanding to all high schools next year. The minister also confirmed that more teaching posts would be created and that the baccalaureate system would undergo review.

Pierre Sourzat of the student union Les Lycéens dismissed the plan as insufficient. Speaking to France Info television, he noted that the group was in a power struggle and needed to maintain mobilization to meet its demands. Sourzat declared, “We want measures, not half measures.”

The government also proposed changes to the university application system. The current platform, Parcoursup, will be modified in 2027 and replaced by a new system in 2028. Higher education minister Philippe Baptiste said 15,000 extra student places would be created, focusing on vocational courses. Parliament is scheduled to debate the issue on Wednesday.

Louis Letoublon, who represented Les Lycéens in a meeting with Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, told supporters that the government now understood it had to listen. He stated, “Not all our demands were met. We’ll go on for as long as it takes.” Baptiste said the government’s door remained open for further discussions.

The protests have been marked by tensions and injuries. Authorities reported that several children were maimed or seriously injured, allegedly by police explosive weapons, while hundreds were arrested. Following a day of severe violence on 17 October that included looting and fires, security measures were tightened. Interior minister Laurent Nuñez said ultra-right groups had targeted protesters in cities like Nice and Montpellier, with 11 suspects facing charges. President Emmanuel Macron visited Marseille on Monday and warned that the demonstration scheduled for 31 October would be a day of risk.