France’s school protests: what students want and how officials responded

The Education Ministry counted 891 schools where classes were fully or partly suspended, AP reported. TIME reported a ministry figure of at least 900, while also reporting that the Union Syndicale Lycéenne estimated around 2,000 high schools had shut down. The figures use different descriptions of disruption and are not a single agreed count.

Police used tear gas in Paris and elsewhere, and TIME reported water cannons in Rennes. Accounts described localized clashes and property damage alongside calmer demonstrations. Parents’ and teachers’ participation widened a movement that began with school staff and students.

Students seek more resources and better school conditions

Students’ complaints include inadequate funding and resources, staff shortages, crowded classrooms, deteriorating buildings and long school days. They have also raised concerns about Parcoursup, France’s higher-education application platform. Protesters have cited missing desks and chairs, rooms that become very hot in summer and alleged rodent problems.

One student told Courthouse News Service that her classes had 35 to 37 pupils and ceilings leaked. She also said she believed Parcoursup disadvantages students from working-class neighborhoods.

In a letter, Lecornu wrote, “Studying in dilapidated premises is an obstacle to education,” Courthouse News Service reported. The complaints put the costs of school conditions in focus for students who say shortages, crowding and damaged buildings affect their daily education.

On Oct. 5, student and university organizations published a platform of 10 proposed emergency measures. FAGE president Suzanne Nijdam estimated that the measures would cost €10 billion, Le Monde reported. The estimate applies to the platform, not to a government funding commitment. Le Monde also reported that student organizations called for protests to continue Thursday.

The national parents’ federation FCPE urged parents to demonstrate with students and supported calls for authorities to hear young people’s demands, according to the federation.

Government opens consultation but has not announced decisions

In an Oct. 4 letter, Lecornu directed ministers to work on five areas: keeping classes running, improving school buildings, organizing school days, making Parcoursup more transparent and following up on student concerns. Building improvements are to involve regional councils. Lecornu requested initial decisions, including financing and timelines, before the end of October.

The Education Ministry opened an anonymous online consultation for high school students on Oct. 5. Responses are accepted through Oct. 23, and the ministry plans to publish a national synthesis at the end of the month, according to its consultation notice.

The ministry also scheduled a half-day of school-based discussions beginning Wednesday, with other classes continuing. The sessions are intended to let students describe difficulties and expectations, the ministry said in its announcement. As of Wednesday, the government had not announced the initial policy decisions Lecornu requested.

Officials defend police action as supporters criticize force

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez defended the police response as proportionate in nearly all cases and said officers needed to intervene when protests turned into riots, AP reported. Lecornu denounced violence threatening schools. Protest supporters and some parents and teachers criticized the use of force against teenagers.

Le Monde reported that a police officer had been charged in connection with injuries to a 14-year-old from a tear-gas grenade. The charge is an allegation, not a finding of guilt.

School suspensions interrupted lessons, while the students’ stated grievances concern crowded classrooms, missing staff and buildings in need of repair. The next concrete government deadline is the end of October, when Lecornu asked ministers to present initial decisions with financing and timelines.