French student protests grow into national revolt over school funding and living costs
What began as a protest over empty teaching posts and crumbling classrooms has grown into one of France’s most serious bouts of unrest in years, with students, parents and unions now demanding action on school funding and the cost of living.
The movement started in mid-September at a high school in the Paris region, where students, teachers and parents complained about unfilled positions. It spread quickly through working-class suburbs and then across the country.
On Oct. 6, more than 250,000 people marched nationwide, including 56,000 in Paris, according to the Interior Ministry. Organizers put the figure at 450,000.
Students say conditions are poor. A secondary-teachers’ union survey found more than half of schools are short-staffed this year, and the shortage has lasted close to a decade. Classes often hold 25 to 30 students.
France spends more on education than on any other ministry, but it has not kept up with a surge in the youth population, which is expected to peak in 2028. The Paris region spends less per pupil than any other region.
Teaching has also lost its appeal, experts say. Entry-level salaries were more than double the minimum wage in 1980 and are now only just above it.
“The government has not really made an effort to make the profession attractive,” said Agnès Van Zanten, a senior research professor emeritus at France’s National Centre for Scientific Research.
Students are also angry about Parcoursup, the national university-admissions platform.
Critics say its assessment methods are vague and disadvantage pupils from poorer schools.
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has ordered work on replacing absent teachers, renovating buildings, improving timetables, making Parcoursup more transparent and responding formally to student proposals.
The government has pledged to send about 3,000 qualified teachers who are not yet working to fill gaps. The education ministry is to receive an extra 1.2 billion euros next year, which opposition parties say barely keeps pace with inflation.
The response on the streets has been contentious. Police have used tear gas, water cannons and rubber-ball launchers against crowds of mostly teenagers. Amnesty International has condemned what it calls disproportionate force against minors.
A 15-year-old lost a hand during the protests and France suspended the use of stun grenades.
At least 18 internal police investigations are underway.
Sebastian Roche, a policing researcher at Sciences Po Grenoble, said that the toll from police weapons is unmatched in 40 years. He said six people, including minors, have been maimed in three weeks.
The Interior Ministry says it is applying a policy of “absolute firmness” to stop blockades and protect public property. Education Minister Édouard Geffray said more than 200 people have been injured and dozens of schools burned or ransacked.
The violence peaked on the weekend of Oct. 17-18, when rioters set cars alight, looted shops and nearly destroyed the historic city hall in Limoges. About 2,400 people were arrested and authorities said more than 3,000 businesses were damaged.
President Emmanuel Macron condemned what he called “unrestrained violence” and blamed radical far-left groups and criminals. He vowed an uncompromising response.
Roche said the far-left fringe, which French intelligence estimates at about 3,000 people, is too small to explain violence on that scale. Student and teacher unions say outsiders were involved at some sites but reject calling the whole movement a riot.
By then the protests had merged with anger over living costs and fuel prices, partly tied to the war in Iran. Reuters reported that the government has little room to respond, with a strained budget, a divided parliament and borrowing costs rising.
The unrest is reshaping the race to succeed Macron, who steps down after next year’s election. Far-right leader Marine Le Pen, already the polling frontrunner, is expected to benefit. Jean-Baptiste Moreau, a former lawmaker from Macron’s camp, said the path ahead of her is “a six-lane highway.”
More than 1,400 people were arrested during demonstrations on the weekend of Oct. 24-25, Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said.
Unions have called strikes for Nov. 5 over budget cuts and wages.
“We expect it to be complicated again,” Nuñez said.
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