Politics · France · 1 hr ago
Greta Thunberg joins French students protesting school conditions
Greta Thunberg joined French students protesting school conditions on Tuesday, October 13.
The Swedish climate activist visited pupils at a high school in Saint-Denis, near Paris, where lawyers formed a human chain to protect students.
Students say schools have too few teachers, poor buildings and overcrowded schedules, and they want the government to address these problems.
The movement began in late September and is backed by university students, labor unions and some left-wing opposition parties.
More than 70,000 people protested last Thursday, while officials said fewer schools were closed this week.
Most demonstrations have been peaceful, but students and rights groups accuse police of excessive force, and teachers, police officers and protesters have also been injured.
A march in Paris and demonstrations in other cities were planned for Tuesday, with authorities and participants wary of further violence.
Greta Thunberg joined French high school students in Saint-Denis on Tuesday as they protested for better learning conditions.
The student movement, which began in late September, planned nationwide demonstrations, including a march through Paris.
Students cite absent teachers, deteriorating buildings and overcrowded class schedules among their grievances.
Education Minister Edouard Geffray said about 200 schools were expected to be closed on Tuesday, fewer than the previous week.
The Education Ministry said eight teaching staff were injured on Monday in incidents related to the protests.
- Who
- Greta Thunberg joined French high school pupils, whose campaign is backed by student unions, labor unions and some left-wing opposition parties.
- What
- Students are protesting for better learning conditions.
- When
- Tuesday, October 13, 2026; the movement began in late September.
- Where
- Outside Paul Eluard high school in Saint-Denis, with demonstrations planned in Paris and other French cities.
- Why
- Students cite absent teachers, dilapidated buildings, overcrowded class schedules and other grievances.
French student protesters
French authorities
Learning conditions
French student protesters
Students demand better learning conditions and say their proposals are not being heard.
French authorities
Authorities reported school closures and damage concerns; the Education Ministry said violence was intensifying.
Police response
French student protesters
Students and rights groups have accused police of disproportionate force.
French authorities
Authorities have expressed concern about violence and reported injuries to staff and police.
The student protest movement began.
More than 70,000 people took to the streets in the movement’s last major event.
The Education Ministry said 130 of France’s 3,700 lycées were closed and reported eight teaching staff injured in protest-related incidents.
Greta Thunberg joined pupils outside Paul Eluard high school in Saint-Denis ahead of nationwide demonstrations.
- Thunberg’s age
- 23
- Protest location
- Paul Eluard high school, Saint-Denis
- Schools closed on Monday
- 130 of France’s 3,700 lycées
- Expected closures on Tuesday
- About 200 schools
- Teaching staff injured on Monday
- 8
What people are saying
Young people are not being included in the conversation. Our future is being robbed away from us.
We should be at around (...) 200 schools closed, which is fewer than last week
They're not listening to us, so we're going to them
Students aren't being heard enough (...) not their proposals to authorities and elected officials
Sources
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