Key Takeaways
- High school students across France prepare for new protests despite government efforts.
- Student unions and national education unions call for continued mobilisation.
- Protests have seen over 6,500 arrests and multiple injuries since late September.
High school students across France are gearing up for a new round of protests, despite government attempts to ease tensions. The students, who have been blockading entrances to hundreds of high schools since late September, are demanding better school conditions, including addressing issues such as missing teachers, overloaded timetables, and inadequate classroom facilities.
Student union leaders are urging fresh mobilisation on Thursday, with protests set to continue in major cities, including the capital Paris. The students are facing French CRS riot police, as seen in recent clashes outside the Lycee Helene-Boucher high school in Paris, on October 8, 2026.
The national education unions have also called for a general strike on Thursday to support the students' demands. In a televised address, the prime minister, Sebastien Lecornu, attempted to calm the situation, promising a plan to address the crisis by the end of October. He acknowledged the 'anger of young people' and denied that security forces have 'orders to confront' the students, responding to allegations of excessive police violence.
Despite the prime minister's assurances, the students remain unconvinced. Marilou, a high school student from Fontainebleau, told AFP, 'We want real action, and until we get it, we’ll keep mobilising.' Suzanne Nijdam, president of the student association Fage, echoed this sentiment, calling for larger-scale demonstrations next week and urging a direct meeting with Lecornu to present costed proposals to address their demands.
The unrest has seen hundreds of students, police, and teaching staff injured, and more than 6,500 people, mostly minors, arrested. While many rallies have been peaceful, some demonstrators have started fires, destroyed bus shelters, or clashed with riot police. A 15-year-old student lost a hand on Monday after police fired a stun grenade, leading Interior Minister Laurent Nunez to suspend the use of stun grenades in response.
The government's response has been met with accusations of disproportionate force from unions, rights groups, and the students themselves. Police have opened 18 internal investigations into allegations of misconduct. The unrest has erupted just months before the 2027 election, with far-right candidate Marine Le Pen among the potential successors to centrist President Emmanuel Macron.
The ongoing protests highlight the broader issue of education in the age of artificial intelligence (AI). In a separate development, on Teachers' Day, a question was posed on social media regarding the greatest quality of a teacher. The response emphasized the importance of fostering curiosity and critical thinking, rather than simply providing answers. As AI continues to transform the landscape of education, the need for students to ask better questions and engage in critical analysis is becoming increasingly urgent.
The prime minister's promise of a plan to address the crisis by the end of October is seen as a critical turning point. However, the students remain skeptical, with Nijdam calling for continued mobilisation and larger-scale demonstrations. The situation remains tense, with both sides awaiting further developments.
We want real action, and until we get it, we’ll keep mobilising.
Marilou, High school student from Fontainebleau
We need to train students to ask better questions more than feeding them answers.
Author, Not specified
