French Students Reject 4 Billion Euro Fix, Vow to Keep Protesting

French high school students will continue to barricade their campuses and march in the streets, a major student union declared on Monday. This decision came immediately after the government unveiled a new package of measures intended to end the ongoing crisis in the education sector.

Pierre Sourzat, a spokesperson for the group Les Lycéens, told France Info that the union is currently at the negotiating table. He described the current situation as a power struggle, stating that continued mobilization is necessary to meet as many of their demands as possible. Sourzat argued that the government needs to provide concrete measures rather than half measures.

The government proposed capping class sizes and reviewing the university application system. Education Minister Édouard Geffray announced a 4 billion euro loan for regional authorities to repair school buildings. He noted that some facilities are so dilapidated that they are not fit for teaching. The repairs will address issues such as collapsing ceilings, mold, and broken toilets that students have reported for months.

Geffray specified that class sizes for 15-year-olds in the first year of high school will be capped at 28. This cap applies to the 50% of schools located in the lowest-income areas. The limit will expand to all high schools next year. The minister also said the government will create more teaching posts and review the baccalaureate system.

Changes to the university application platform, known as Parcoursup, are also scheduled. The current system, which critics call opaque and unfair, will be modified in 2027. A new system will replace it entirely in 2028. Parliament is scheduled to debate this issue on Wednesday.

Higher Education Minister Philippe Baptiste said the government will create 15,000 extra student places in higher education. These new spots will focus on vocational courses. Baptiste stated that the government's door is open for further discussions with student representatives.

Louis Letoublon, who met with Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu on behalf of Les Lycéens, praised the students for their demonstrations. He said the government is afraid and knows it must listen. Letoublon acknowledged that not all demands were met, but the group intends to continue as long as it takes. Several children have been maimed or seriously injured in previous protests, allegedly by police explosive weapons, and hundreds have been arrested.

President Emmanuel Macron visited Marseille on Monday and said nationwide street protests are likely to continue. He labeled the next demonstration day on 31 October a day of risk. Macron stepped down next spring, and the far-right leader Marine Le Pen is currently leading the polls. The interior minister said eleven suspects face charges after ultra-right groups targeted protesters in cities like Nice and Montpellier over the weekend.