Massive student protests in France close hundreds of educational institutions over resource crisis

A wave of protests shakes the education sector in France

France is currently witnessing a wave of massive protests led by students, protesting against what they describe as a lack of basic resources within educational institutions, teacher absences, poor study conditions, and the pressure associated with the higher education registration system known as «Parcoursup».

According to official sources, this protest movement initially started in several high schools in the suburbs of Paris before spreading to various regions across France.

Record numbers of closed institutions and expanding university anger

The French Ministry of the Interior reported that the number of high schools closed, either fully or partially, has reached 356 institutions, compared to 338 recorded the previous day. These protests are not limited to secondary education but have extended to about 30 university campuses in major cities such as Paris, Lille, Marseille, Lyon, and Strasbourg.

In the same context, some cities experienced security tensions and disturbances; authorities reported damage to several educational institutions, and security forces intervened using tear gas to control the situation, alongside the detention of several individuals for acts of vandalism.

Government projects increase tensions

In addition to demands regarding study conditions, the government’s proposed higher education project has increased political and social frustration. The government’s proposal to impose annual tuition fees on students who do not receive financial aid faces widespread rejection, which has contributed to fueling student anger and driving them to the streets to express their opposition to these measures.