French high school students are preparing to resume demonstrations on Tuesday, seeking to sustain their campaign for improved school conditions despite a recent decline in protests across the country.
The fresh demonstrations could prove decisive for the movement, which began in mid-September as the government hopes to bring the unrest to an end.
On Friday, the government reported a sharp decline in blockades and gatherings outside the country’s high schools, known as lycées. The education ministry said more than 96 per cent of the schools had opened that day.
Authorities are eager to end the student protests as online activists prepare to stage demonstrations next Saturday over the rising cost of living.
The planned action has revived concerns within President Emmanuel Macron’s administration about a possible repeat of the Yellow Vest movement, which erupted in 2018 over a proposed fuel tax increase.
The movement triggered mass demonstrations and violent clashes between protesters and police, creating one of the biggest challenges to Macron’s presidency during his first term.
Meanwhile, the government is assessing the financial and security implications of the ongoing student unrest.
A government source told journalists last week that damage from the demonstrations had cost at least €30m.
On Friday, the Justice Ministry disclosed that authorities had detained more than 6,800 people since the protests began, with minors accounting for 86 per cent of those arrested.
Clashes between some demonstrators and riot police have also left several students seriously injured, prompting criticism of police tactics. The government subsequently suspended the use of stun grenades after one student lost a hand in an incident involving the device.
Police are investigating 18 alleged cases of misconduct by officers.
Government offers concessions
Last week, the government announced measures aimed at addressing some of the students’ demands.
Education Minister Edouard Geffray said late Thursday that the government would deploy about 3,000 substitute teachers in the coming days to cover staff shortages at 114 of the worst-affected high schools.
Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu also promised on Sunday to adjust the proposed 2027 budget to address some demands submitted through an online platform the government established to gather students’ views.
However, the concessions have failed to convince the student organisations leading the protests.
The Union of High School Students dismissed the government’s initial announcements as “crumbs” and maintained its demand for an additional €10m investment in the country’s high schools.
Meanwhile, France’s 10,000 medical students have expressed concern that continued school blockades could disrupt examinations beginning on Monday. The exams help determine the specialities they will eventually pursue.
The medical students warned against allowing the protests to interfere with such a crucial stage of their education.
Thousands join demonstrations
Last Thursday’s demonstrations attracted tens of thousands of participants across France, with the Interior Ministry putting the turnout at 71,500.
The previous Tuesday’s day of action drew nearly 256,000 protesters, according to official figures.
A poll conducted by Ipsos-BVA and published on Sunday also found that 54 per cent of respondents supported the high school students’ protests.
Respondents expressed particular sympathy for students’ complaints about overcrowded classrooms and demands to renovate deteriorating school buildings.
Agency report
