Politics · France · 6 hrs ago
French high school students spend more time in class than most European peers
French high school students are protesting long days and crowded timetables, which account for 71% of demands submitted to a government consultation.
The protests continued on October 12, ahead of a planned strike the next day.
European comparisons show that France and Spain are the only EU countries where high school students have more than 1,000 scheduled class hours a year.
In France, that works out to about 28 hours a week after school holidays are excluded, though the figure does not account for teacher absences or cancelled classes.
Students in Germany average four and a half hours of lessons a day, while those in Finland have about 15 hours a week.
Several other countries, including Italy, Portugal and Belgium, have 22 to 24 hours of lessons a week.
The government’s online consultation is open until October 23, and a separate citizens’ convention has called for shorter school days and afternoons for sports or practical activities.
French high school students have more scheduled class time than students in most European countries, according to data cited by franceinfo.
France and Spain are the only European countries where high school students have more than 1,000 hours of lessons a year.
French students have about 28 hours of classes a week, compared with 15 hours in Finland and 22 to 24 hours in several other countries.
School timetables are the leading concern in a government consultation, accounting for 71% of students’ demands.
Students were continuing protests on 12 October 2026, ahead of a planned strike the next day.
- Who
- French high school students.
- What
- They spend more time in class than students in most European countries. School timetables are also a leading concern in their demands.
- When
- The report was published on 12 October 2026. Students were mobilising that day ahead of a strike planned for 13 October.
- Where
- France, compared with other European countries.
- Why
- Students are calling for shorter and more balanced school days, with afternoons for sports or practical activities.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
French high school students continued their mobilisation over school schedules.
A strike was planned.
The government’s consultation with students was due to close.
- French class time
- About 28 hours per week
- France and Spain
- The only European countries cited with more than 1,000 annual high school class hours
- Finland
- 15 hours of high school classes per week
- Other countries
- Italy, Portugal, Hungary, Belgium and Bulgaria have 22 to 24 hours per week
- Student demands
- 71% of demands in the government consultation concerned timetables
Sources
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