Archive · 7 Oct 2026
More Than 266,000 Rally in France for Education Funding
More than 266,000 people joined protests across France on Tuesday to support high school students.
The students want more funding and better conditions in their schools.
They say some classrooms are rundown, schools lack staff and students have too much work.
Police used tear gas, and nearly 500 people were detained that day.
The Interior Ministry said police acted proportionately in almost all cases.
Some protesters and critics said the police response was too forceful.
Classes were stopped or partly interrupted at 891 schools.
The Education Ministry also opened a website where students can share school problems anonymously.
Student groups said they may keep protesting until their concerns are addressed.
The Interior Ministry estimated that 266,000 people protested nationwide on Tuesday, including 56,000 in Paris.
Demonstrators backed high school students seeking more education funding and citing rundown classrooms, staff shortages and heavy workloads.
Police used tear gas, and nearly 500 people were detained on Tuesday; more than 6,500 arrests have been made during over two weeks of blockades and boycotts, mostly involving minors.
The Education Ministry said classes were fully or partly suspended at 891 schools and opened an online portal for anonymous student complaints.
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez defended police actions as proportionate in almost all cases, while protesters and critics called the response excessive.
- Who
- High school students and their supporters, police, and French government officials.
- What
- Nationwide demonstrations demanding more education funding and improved school conditions.
- When
- Tuesday; the protest movement began at a high school in the Paris region in mid-September.
- Where
- Across France, including Paris, Marseille, Strasbourg and Lille.
- Why
- Students cited funding shortfalls, rundown classrooms, staff shortages, heavy workloads and limited opportunities.
Critics of Police Tactics
Government Position
Use of force
Critics of Police Tactics
Student Felix Barney and lawmaker Aurélien Le Coq described the police response as disproportionate; reports also noted anger over arrests, tear gas and riot-control weapons used against teenagers.
Government Position
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said police actions were proportionate in almost all cases and that intervention was necessary when protests turned into riots. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said alleged accidents would be investigated.
Responding to student demands
Critics of Police Tactics
Students and supporters called for action on funding shortfalls, poor facilities, staff shortages and heavy workloads, and said demonstrations would continue until concerns were addressed.
Government Position
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said the government and school leaders should listen and find solutions; the Education Ministry opened an online portal for students to submit concerns.
- Nationwide turnout
- 266,000, according to the Interior Ministry
- Paris turnout
- 56,000, according to the Interior Ministry
- Detentions on Tuesday
- Nearly 500, according to the Interior Ministry
- Arrests during more than two weeks
- More than 6,500, mostly minors, according to the articles
- Schools affected
- Classes fully or partly suspended at 891 schools on Tuesday
- Police officers injured
- 715, according to Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez
- Ministry response
- An online portal was opened for students to anonymously describe school difficulties and requested changes
Sources
Tear Gas Fired As Over 260,000 Rally Seeking Education Funding In France
France Erupts In Massive Student Protests: 2.6 Lakh Take To Streets Over Education Funding, Police Fire Tear Gas As Nearly 500 Detained | Watch
