French Students Close 49 High Schools as Protests Demanding Education Improvements Escalate - Sarmad

French students closed the entrances to dozens of high schools across the country on Tuesday, continuing their protests to demand improved educational conditions, as student mobilizations increasingly intersect with a broader wave of demonstrations over the cost of living.

The Ministry of Education said that the entrances to 49 high schools out of approximately 3,700 were closed on Tuesday morning, while authorities expected thousands of school and university students to participate in an afternoon demonstration in the capital, Paris.

France has witnessed student protests since September, which have expanded in recent weeks to become part of broader movements linked to the rising cost of living. Some of these protests have seen limited acts of violence and allegations of excessive force by the police.

Escalating Pressure on the Government

Student unions and teachers’ trade unions have called for continued mobilization, stating in a joint statement issued yesterday that it is time to “escalate mobilization by maintaining pressure on the government.”

Riad Rani, president of one student association, said that sustained pressure is essential, adding, “We are not fighting only for ourselves, but also for teachers and their working conditions.”

The government has announced measures including the gradual replacement of an online platform for selecting students wishing to enter higher education, along with financial support for some of the most disadvantaged schools. However, students argue that these measures are insufficient.

Unions Prepare for New Actions

Trade unions remain dissatisfied with the government’s measures. One of their leaders described yesterday the government’s pledge to increase the minimum wage by 0.6%, in addition to inflation-linked adjustments, as “crumbs.”

Unions have called for a new day of strikes and protests on November 17.

According to authorities, approximately 575,000 people participated last Thursday in strikes and protests related to the cost of living across France, while unions estimated the number of participants at around 1.5 million.

These mobilizations come ahead of elections scheduled for next year to choose a successor to President Emmanuel Macron, as the government faces pressure to reduce public debt, limiting its ability to respond to protesters by increasing spending.