France’s schools face fresh student protests as Macron urges calm

What Happened

Student protests that have paralysed French high schools for three weeks intensified on Monday as 130 of the 3,700 lycées stayed shut. Since late September pupils aged 15‑18 have blocked entrances by piling dumpsters and barriers, citing overcrowded classrooms, teacher shortages and dilapidated buildings. The education ministry said eight teachers were injured, mainly in Paris, Bordeaux and Lyon. Police also arrested a 14‑year‑old near Marseille after a headmaster and a teacher were shot, and fireworks injured staff in Reims, a Paris suburb and a police officer in Marseille. Over 6,800 people, largely minors, have been taken into custody and 24 allegations of police brutality are under investigation.

Reaction

President Emmanuel Macron, speaking at the Paris Motor Show, called the grievances “issues that deserve time, consultations, discussion and respect” and urged calm. The far‑left France Unbowed party is organising fresh rallies on Tuesday and a larger anti‑cost‑of‑living march on Saturday, Oct 10. Students such as 17‑year‑old Naila from Rennes plan to join, while 19‑year‑old Leo from Paris says the movement faces unprecedented repression. Parents like the pseudonymous Gladys call the blockades undemocratic, and university student Clara Juillet says it hurts peers who just want to study.

What’s Next

The government promised about 3,000 substitute teachers for the 114 worst‑affected schools, a move the national students’ union dismissed as “crumbs” while demanding a €10 billion boost for lycées. Further demonstrations are expected on Tuesday and Saturday, and authorities say they will keep riot police on standby. The justice ministry says investigations will continue into the shootings, fireworks and alleged police excesses.

Context

France’s education system has faced chronic underfunding for years, leading to teacher shortages and aging school infrastructure, which often trigger large‑scale student actions when conditions worsen.