The French school protests- what’s actually happening?

Over the past week the news has become full of bins on fire, tear grenades, schools closing, riot police, and over 5000 people arrested in France. Many of you might be wondering why and what is actually happening across the channel, so here’s a brief run down:

Protests began in Paris, late September, as students wanted to express their frustration at overcrowded classrooms, run-down buildings, and a lack of teachers, staff, and resources. This began with high school students, but as the movement spread across the country, university students also joined in. A secondary school union: Union Syndicale Lycéenne (USL), has been conducting the protests and was the group to call for a national strike. The protests are mostly peaceful, as shown below, with students not turning up to school, and barricading their schools and streets. However, a small minority are bringing violence to the streets, setting school buildings on fire, attacking teachers and sending off fireworks. These extremities have been met with similar violence from the riot police sent in: tear gas has been used and there are investigations into a stun grenade exploding a 15 year-old boy’s hand off yesterday.

Students peacefully protesting for more investment into their schools.

Many are unsure of what is actually happening violence-wise, so over 500 schools have shut down all over the country and are moving to online learning to protect both students and teachers. 215 students have been reported to be injured so far whilst 715 police offers have also been injured, demonstrating the violence involved. The scale of the protests has now meant there have been over 5000 arrests nationwide, mostly of students.

With France approaching a presidential election in 2027, these protests highlight a major political issue that needs to be solved to placate the country. So how has the government responded? They have proposed new measures, such as hiring new teachers, using AI to create efficient timetables and reviewing school infrastructure. The Education Minister, Édouard Geffray, commented that he understands some of the students’ demands are ‘legitimate’ but that he, and many other politicians, condemn the violence involved.

Some students are not protesting against their own schools- many, such as the Lycée Sophie-Germain in Marais area, are affluent- but rather against their educational futures. One girl says: “Personally I am very worried. There’s climate change; there’s AI, wars,” she says. “The more time passes, the more I’m saying to myself: ‘In what world am I going to grow up? What am I going to leave for my kids?’ Actually, I am very scared for the future.” She’s only 17.

How will France take improve their education system? How will the violence end? Hopefully, with peace and a new system that supports everyone and every school.