Tens of Thousands Demonstrate in French School Protests

Tens of thousands of students, parents, teachers and union members demonstrated across France on Tuesday in the largest national action in a protest wave that began in Paris’s deprived suburbs in late September. They demanded more education funding and staff, replacement teachers, repairs to deteriorating buildings, less overcrowding and more equitable access to higher education; unions also called for more university places and major school reconstruction spending. Many rallies were peaceful, but blockades and clashes with police turned parts of the movement violent, with injuries reported among students, teachers and police. A 15-year-old lost a hand during a confrontation in Lens, though accounts of how the injury occurred differ. The protests increased pressure on President Emmanuel Macron’s cash-strapped government, which is pursuing spending cuts ahead of the 2027 presidential election. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu asked ministers to develop proposals addressing students’ demands, including teacher absences, school schedules and building repairs.