France pledges emergency education measures as student protests spread

France has pledged emergency measures to address student concerns as nationwide school protests continued, with more than 6,600 arrests reported since September and 71,500 people taking part in demonstrations on Thursday (8 October), according to reports from French authorities and the Associated Press.

The protests have disrupted schools across the country, with students demanding better school facilities, smaller classes, more teachers and increased funding for education.

The French Interior Ministry reported that 71,500 people demonstrated nationwide on 8 October, including 24,500 in Paris. Authorities made 504 arrests that day, while 48 police officers and gendarmes were injured, according to French media reports.

The cumulative total of more than 6,600 arrests since September was reported by the Associated Press on Friday (9 October). The figure covers a broader period and should not be confused with the 504 arrests recorded on Thursday alone.

Government announces emergency teacher deployment

Education Minister Édouard Geffray announced that 3,000 substitute teachers would be deployed between Friday and Tuesday to address staffing shortages and help schools maintain teaching schedules.

The government has also indicated that several hundred additional teachers will be recruited. Geffray has visited schools to hear students’ concerns, while officials are reviewing issues including lengthy timetables and the university admissions process.

Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has promised concrete, swift and fully funded responses by the end of October. The government has also said it will consider amendments to the 2027 budget to address the demands.

Students demand greater investment in education

Student protesters have called for increased education funding, repairs to school buildings, smaller classes and more teachers. They have also raised concerns about university admissions and the Parcoursup system, which manages applications to higher education.

Student representatives have called for an additional €10 billion (US$11.2 billion) in education investment.

The government has launched a national consultation through the Agora platform, open from 5 to 23 October, to collect high-school students’ views on their difficulties and expectations.

The findings are expected to be compiled and presented nationally towards the end of October.

The authorities have also introduced dialogue sessions at high schools to give students opportunities to express their concerns. The sessions are intended to take place without suspending other classes.

Demonstrations disrupted schools and led to clashes

Protests and school blockades have been reported in Paris and other cities, including Bordeaux, Saint-Étienne, Toulouse and Marseille. Some demonstrations have resulted in clashes between protesters and police.

The Associated Press reported on 9 October that 375 schools had been disrupted. Police used tear gas at Hélène Boucher high school in Paris, while other demonstrations also saw confrontations.

The government suspended the use of a type of crowd-control grenade following a serious injury to a teenager during the unrest.

Public opinion and further protests

A poll cited by French media found that 72 per cent of respondents considered the students’ demands legitimate, while 55 per cent believed the protests should end.

Further demonstrations were expected on Tuesday (13 October), while calls for additional mobilisation on 17 October were circulating online.

The government’s proposed measures and the national consultation are expected to be central to efforts to address the students’ demands in the coming weeks.