France high schools face protests and closures over staff and facilities

Hundreds of thousands of students across France have protested since the end of last month, clashing with authorities over severe staff shortages, dilapidated facilities, and deteriorating conditions in the nation’s secondary schools, bbc.co.uk reported. The unrest has forced closures or disruptions at nearly 900 of France’s 3,700 public high schools by October 6, according to the National Catholic Reporter.

The protests have turned increasingly volatile, drawing in hooded rioters, political leaders, and union representatives. Demonstrators have set fire to dustbins and chanted slogans against the police while marching through cities including Lille, Paris, and Lens.

Dilapidated Facilities and Staff Shortages Spark National Student Protests

At the center of the student mobilization are severe infrastructure failures inside France’s lycées, which serve teenagers aged 15 to 18. A 16-year-old student in Lille described extreme overcrowding and deteriorating daily conditions to bbc.co.uk.

“There aren’t even enough chairs. We have to go and find some at the start of every lesson,” the student said. “We’ve got 50 minutes to eat at lunchtime but there are 2,000 of us that need to get through the canteen.”

Unidentified 16-year-old student in Lille, reported by bbc.co.uk

The Guardian reported that France ranks 27th in recent OECD education rankings, with schools suffering from collapsing ceilings, rat infestations, and a lack of drinkable water at a facility in Bagnolet. Average class sizes have climbed from 27 students in 2010 to over 30 today, while half of primary and high schools faced teacher shortages at the start of the term without adequate substitutes, according to the same outlet.

Clashes With Riot Police and Severe Injuries Intensify the Crisis

As blockades formed outside campuses, the government deployed riot police to clear trash-can fires and student barricades. The confrontation with law enforcement has resulted in severe injuries among young protesters.

Lemonde.fr reported that a 15-year-old teenager had his hand torn off by a grenade during a high school blockade in Lens on October 5. The body which internally investigates police misconduct subsequently charged the officer who fired the EF-SON grenade with violence resulting in mutilation and permanent disability.

The Guardian documented further casualties from police munitions during the demonstrations, noting that a 16-year-old lost the use of an eye and a 14-year-old sustained a broken jaw.

Political Exploitation and Religious Appeals Amid Budget Negotiations

The unrest has sharply polarized French politics ahead of an upcoming presidential election, with figures from both the hard right and hard left attempting to capitalize on the crisis. The National Catholic Reporter noted that negotiations over the 2027 budget are expected to be contentious amid inflation and soaring gas prices, drawing in not only students but also agricultural unions facing financial strain from summer heatwaves.

French church leaders have publicly intervened to urge dialogue over confrontation. Bishop Olivier de Cagny of Évreux and Bishop Matthieu Rougé of Nanterre both remarked on the sharp contrast between the ongoing riots and the atmosphere of peace during Pope Leo XIV’s apostolic visit to France between September 25 and 28, the National Catholic Reporter stated.

Students Maintain Resolve Despite Government Concessions

Despite apparent government concessions, students have maintained their resolve on the streets. Massicella, an 18-year-old protester marching in Lille, told bbc.co.uk that the movement relies on collective strength rather than state power.

More on this story: France Student Protests Over Education Funding Trigger Clashes And Arrests · Violent High School Blockades and Arson Sweep Across France

“They have armies, they have the police, they have the powers,” Massicella said. “But we have the mass population.”

Massicella, reported by bbc.co.uk