Why are French students blocking schools and taking to the streets?

On 24th October, the CGT (a French workers’ union) estimated that more than 800,000 people demonstrated across France, while the Ministry of the Interior put the figure at around 410,000. In Caen, unions estimated that around 10,000 people took to the streets, compared with the prefecture's figure of 8,000. But what are they protesting about?

A movement that began with secondary-school pupils

The movement took shape in mid-September at Saint-Exupéry secondary school in Créteil (in the Île-de-France region), where teachers went on strike over problems including staff shortages. Pupils supported the strike and began blocking the school, helping to bring wider attention to their concerns.

By 28th September, the movement was spreading across France through social media. In Caen, the first school blockades took place on 1st October at the Jean Rostand and Augustin Fresnel secondary schools. Pupils at Salvador-Allende secondary school soon joined the movement. We spoke to several pupils there to understand why they were taking part.

Why block schools?

One student told WRNC: “We have so many problems, but we aren’t being listened to. We’ve tried to speak up, but nothing has changed. Blocking the school is a way to make ourselves heard. We’ve been doing it for almost a week, and hopefully it will work.”

When asked about what their demands were, that same student said: “Our school buildings are in poor condition: it’s cold in the winter and too hot in the summer. Class sizes are too large, making it difficult to concentrate, and teachers are not always available when we need help. Last year, one teacher was absent for six months, and we went weeks without lessons because the replacement arrived so late.”

Another student added: “Our conditions may not be as bad as those of some other students, but this movement affects everyone. Parcoursup (the platform French students use to apply for higher education after passing their baccalauréat) puts us under pressure at a very young age, when we are expected to choose our future studies and careers. This movement is not just for students from disadvantaged backgrounds; it concerns everyone.”

When asked about the violence, the students are generally opposed to what has been seen across the country in recent weeks, with one of them saying: “I wanted to remain peaceful, but I haven’t seen any changes. I never wanted to feel that violence was necessary to be heard. I’m not a violent person, and I run away when I see the police. It’s horrible that people feel they have to resort to violence just to be listened to.”

The students we spoke to all highlighted similar concerns: school conditions, staff shortages and the pressure surrounding Parcoursup. As the movement has gained attention over recent weeks, university students have also joined in the protests, particularly at the University of Caen.

University students join the movement

On Wednesday, 7th October, the University of Caen’s Campuses 1, 2 and 3 were closed after several buildings were blocked. In response to repeated blockades, university management later closed Campuses 1 and 2 from Wednesday, 14th October, to Sunday, 18th October.

During the week beginning on 19th October, the situation remained uncertain. On Tuesday, 20th October, Campuses 2, 3 and 6 were urgently closed following further attempts to block access. Students were left unsure as to whether their classes would take place in person or online.

WRNC spoke to Anne, a first-year history student at the University of Caen, before the 17th October demonstration, to understand the students’ demands and their reasons for joining the movement.

According to her, university students joined “to support secondary-school pupils following police interventions at Rostand, Fresnel and Malherbe on 1st October. We also wanted to put forward our own demands, particularly concerning housing benefit and student support through the CROUS.”

She continues to say: “We are calling for better student support and changes to education, as well as denouncing the way pupils and students are treated. These issues should be addressed through dialogue, not treated simply as matters of public order requiring police intervention.”

When asked if she thought the movement would lose momentum over time, Anne said: “I think it will grow. The demonstration planned for 17th October, involving different groups moving through the city, could have a significant impact in Caen and elsewhere.”

A national movement

The demonstrations on 17th and 24th October highlight how the movement has brought together different parts of the population, including secondary-school pupils, university students and workers. Protesters have raised concerns about education, student support and the future of public services as a whole.

“We want to be heard,” says Anne. “The public should be given greater consideration, and attention should focus on society’s real problems rather than debates around religious headwear or increased military spending. Education should be a priority because it shapes the future. We are the ones who will fund tomorrow’s pensions.”

Further protests are planned for 31st October and 5th November, suggesting that the movement may continue in the coming weeks.