Archive · 8 Oct 2026
French students keep protesting as government pledges school fixes
French students are protesting because they say their schools need more teachers and better buildings.
Some students blocked school entrances, while others marched in cities.
The government said it would announce funded plans to respond by late October, but it has not yet explained what those plans will be.
Many schools were open, although some were closed or only partly open.
The protests have included clashes with police, and the government stopped police from using stun grenades at them.
Politicians disagree about whether to support the protesters or focus on damage caused by some demonstrators.
Many people in a poll said the students' complaints were fair, though more than half thought the protests should stop.
Protests were also reported at some schools in Belgium.
Students blockaded some French high schools and marched in several cities on October 8, amid a nationwide movement now in its third week.
Protesters cited teacher shortages, overcrowded classrooms and deteriorating school buildings; the government promised detailed, funded responses by late October but gave no specifics.
The Education Ministry reported 224 high schools closed and 151 partially reopening Thursday morning, with 94% fully or partly open.
The protests have involved arrests and injuries, and the government suspended the use of stun grenades in policing them on Wednesday.
Politicians are divided over the protests, while demonstrations were also reported at schools in Brussels and at Liege University in Belgium.
- Who
- French high school and university students, with some teachers and other supporters.
- What
- Students blockaded schools and marched to demand better school conditions.
- When
- Thursday, October 8, 2026; the protest movement was in its third week.
- Where
- Several French cities, including Paris, Nantes, Rennes, Bron, Toulon and Marseille; related protests were reported in Brussels and Liege, Belgium.
- Why
- Students cited teacher shortages, overcrowded classrooms and deteriorating school buildings.
Supporters of the protests
Critics and calls to end protests
Students' demands and police response
Supporters of the protests
Students and supporters say schools need better conditions, including more teachers and repairs; teacher Charlotte Beaubeau described the police response as heavy-handed.
Critics and calls to end protests
The government has condemned violent incidents, including school fires and injuries to staff, and has said it will provide responses to student complaints.
Protest tactics and responsibility for damage
Supporters of the protests
Hard-left politician Jean-Luc Melenchon praised the protesters and denounced police brutality.
Critics and calls to end protests
Far-right politician Marine Le Pen highlighted damage to schools and said protesters or their parents should pay repair bills; she also called for reduced public spending.
Claims about activism in Belgium
Supporters of the protests
Julien Doeche of the Liege Antifascist Front rejected the claim that hard-left activists had infiltrated protests, calling it 'fantasies.'
Critics and calls to end protests
Belgian Foreign Minister Bernard Quintin said hard-left activists had infiltrated school protests in Liege and were causing property damage.
- Government response
- Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu promised concrete, quick and fully funded responses by late October, without specifying them.
- School closures
- The Education Ministry said 224 high schools were closed and 151 were partially reopening Thursday morning.
- Schools open
- The ministry said 94% of high schools were fully or partially open.
- Online consultation
- A platform for high-school students received more than 43,000 responses in its first two days.
- Public opinion
- An Elabe poll for BFM TV found 72% considered the students' demands legitimate, while 55% thought the protests should stop.
- Policing
- The government suspended the use of stun grenades in policing the protests on Wednesday.
- Belgium
- Protests were reported outside some Brussels schools and Liege University; authorities in Liege had banned public gatherings of more than three people until October 16, while police said the university protest was authorised.