Student Union Rejects France's €4bn School Plan, Demands More

Pierre Sourzat of the Les Lycéens student union told France Info television on Monday that French high school pupils should maintain their barricades and continue street protests. The union issued this directive immediately after the government unveiled a package of education measures designed to end the crisis.

Sourzat characterized the current situation as a power struggle. He stated, "We’re in a power struggle and we still need to call for continued mobilisation to meet a maximum of our demands." His comments followed a meeting where the government agreed to cap class sizes in some areas and review the university application system.

The government’s response comes more than five weeks after high school blockades began in September. The movement has grown into one of the largest youth protests in years, joined by trade unions and cost-of-living protesters. The original demands focused on ending teacher shortages and repairing buildings plagued by collapsing ceilings, mould, broken toilets, and windows that would not shut.

Education Minister Édouard Geffray acknowledged that some schools were not fit for teaching. He announced a €4bn government loan to regional authorities to fund repairs. Additionally, he specified that class sizes for 15-year-olds in the first year of high school would be capped at 28 in 50% of schools in low-income areas. This cap will expand to all high schools next year. The government also plans to create more teaching posts and review the baccalaureate system.

Louis Letoublon, who represented Les Lycéens at a meeting with Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, praised the students' demonstrations. He said, "We’ve got something: the government is afraid and knows it must do something and listen to us." Letoublon noted that while not all demands were met, the union would continue its efforts for as long as necessary.

Higher education changes are also included in the plan. The Parcoursup application platform, described by critics as opaque and unfair, will be modified in 2027 and replaced by a new system in 2028. Higher Education Minister Philippe Baptiste confirmed that 15,000 extra student places will be created, with a focus on vocational courses. Parliament is scheduled to debate these issues on Wednesday.

The protest movement has been marked by tension and violence. Several children have been injured, allegedly by police explosive weapons, while hundreds have been arrested. Following a day of severe unrest on 17 October involving looting and fires, authorities increased security measures and imposed curfews in certain cities. President Emmanuel Macron visited Marseille on Monday and described the upcoming demonstration on 31 October as a day of risk. He stated that the country was in a state of turmoil six months before a presidential election, with Marine Le Pen currently leading the polls.