High school students and teachers across France have entered their third week of protests, demanding more investment and concrete measures to improve education conditions. Demonstrations have seen hundreds of thousands take to the streets in cities including Lille, Rennes, Nantes, Lyon, Toulon, and Marseille, with approximately 56,000 people marching through the center of Paris to the Place de la Bastille. Protesters are voicing anger over classroom overcrowding, teacher shortages, and dilapidated school buildings.

The movement, which began in late September, has seen over 150 high schools closed due to blockades, including Paul Éluard High School in a suburb of the capital. Teachers’ unions have also called for strikes to support the students. These events have highlighted deep tensions between popular demands for public service investment and a cash-strapped government.

The unrest has been marred by clashes between police and protesters. Law enforcement utilized tear gas and batons, leading to a record 6,059 arrests between September 28 and October 5. The violence has left hundreds injured, including at least 215 teenagers and 85 school staff members, as well as police officers. While footage has emerged showing heavy-handed tactics, Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez and Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu have denied allegations of police repression.

Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu stated that France cannot be indifferent to the students' concerns and announced several economic measures. However, he noted that a full policy response will not be delivered until the end of October. In an effort to quell the movement, the education minister has invited three major student groups to meet.