In northeastern Paris, a group of students gathered atop a stack of wheelie bins, effectively obstructing the entrance to a high school. Among them was 17-year-old Sophia, who found herself at the forefront of the protest instead of attending her Spanish class.
“Our goal is to ignite a widespread youth protest movement,” remarked Sophia, a senior at Lycée Voltaire, who preferred to remain anonymous. On the second day of their blockade, she expressed that their actions were aimed at ensuring the cancellation of all classes. “We want the government to listen to us. We’d rather stand here than endure substandard learning environments. This is our only avenue to be heard.”
A placard held by a fellow student declared, “Education is a right, not a privilege,” as Sophia outlined the concerns of young people across France. These grievances included insufficient government funding for education, overcrowded classrooms with as many as 40 students, deteriorating school infrastructure, inadequate teacher compensation, and an educational system where social status often dictates success. Other protest issues highlighted the confusing online university application process and the extreme heat students faced in classrooms during the recent heatwaves.
“Funding for education is being drastically reduced while the military receives increased financial support,” said Sophia, who aspires to pursue a career in art and animation. She expressed hope that the protests would persist into the following week, drawing support from several teachers who joined the barricades.
The French government is currently grappling with a significant crisis, having been caught off guard by the large-scale demonstrations from students outside schools nationwide this week. Student unions have raised alarms over the underfunding and neglect of the educational system. On Friday, numerous high schools were either closed or barricaded, and many students were arrested as the movement showed signs of extending into the next week.
Many of the protesting students have accused the government of neglecting secondary education, citing deplorable conditions in classrooms, including sagging ceilings, leaks, pest problems, and general disrepair. Others voiced concerns about excessively long school days and insufficient teaching staff.
While the government acknowledged the validity of the students’ concerns, it condemned what it characterized as “urban violence.” Students have alleged that law enforcement used excessive force, resulting in injuries during attempts to disperse the crowds with tear gas. In Paris that Friday, the entrances of two high schools—Léonard de Vinci and Gaston-Bachelard—sustained damage from fire.
Several injuries have occurred during the protests, including 65 education personnel, among them 40 school principals, according to the education ministry. An investigation has been initiated following an incident where a 14-year-old boy in Val d’Oise sustained serious facial injuries, allegedly caused by police brutality. The boy’s lawyer reported that he believed his life was in danger.
On Friday, riot police were stationed near Lycée Voltaire amidst the largely peaceful demonstration involving hundreds of students. “We are completely non-violent,” stated Yves, a 17-year-old senior who chose to remain unnamed. Instead of attending his history class, he stood in solidarity at the barricade, with the full backing of his parents. He hopes to study catering next year.
“The mood at the barricade is generally quite serene,” he noted. “However, some outsiders have attempted to incite violence, prompting us to rearrange the bins for safety.”
On that Friday morning, loud explosions echoed as individuals further away set off firework mortars. Yves commented, “Yesterday, the noise was incessant; it’s frightening when fireworks are launched horizontally instead of straight up. There were provocateurs instigating clashes with police, but they were not from our school.”
Camille, an 18-year-old aspiring teacher, echoed the students’ frustrations regarding the government’s lack of engagement with the dismal performance of French education in international rankings. “France’s results are alarming, yet we have some of the longest school days,” she remarked. “The government seems unwilling to recognize that quality matters more than the quantity of instructional hours.”
Meanwhile, at the barricade in front of Lycée Hélène Boucher, students were singing and displaying signs of support for Gaza, along with banners opposing the far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen, who is currently gaining popularity in the polls.
Sofiane, a 19-year-old literature student, expressed concerns that the government might eliminate its subsidized €1 meals for low-income students and cut housing welfare. “We are also protesting against the unbearable conditions during the recent heatwave,” he shared. “Taking exams in temperatures exceeding 35°C was intolerable, and even the teachers acknowledged it was an impossible situation.”
He predicted that the demonstrations would continue. “Young people simply want to study and learn in acceptable conditions. The French government seems taken aback by declining educational outcomes yet fails to take meaningful action to address the issue.”
