Students Demand Concrete Fixes as France Unveils €4bn School Repair Loan and Class Size Caps

The Les Lycéens student union declared that high school students must continue to barricade their schools and join street protests on Monday. This decision came immediately after the French government announced a new package of education measures aimed at resolving the ongoing crisis. The union rejected the government's initial concessions, signaling that the standoff will persist.

Pierre Sourzat, a representative for Les Lycéens, told France Info television that the group is engaged in a power struggle with the state. He stated that the union needs to maintain mobilization to achieve the maximum number of its demands. Sourzat emphasized that the students want concrete measures rather than half measures, a sentiment echoed by other union leaders.

The government responded to the protests by announcing a loan of €4 billion to regional authorities for school repairs. Education Minister Édouard Geffray noted that some schools were in such poor condition that they were not fit for teaching. The funds are intended to address issues including collapsing ceilings, mold, broken toilets, and windows that fail to shut properly.

Geffray also announced that class sizes for 15-year-olds in the first year of high school would be capped at 28 students. This cap will initially apply to the 50% of schools located in the lowest-income areas. The limit will expand to all high schools next year. The minister said additional teaching posts would be created to support these changes.

The government also proposed a review of the French baccalaureate system and changes to the university application platform, Parcoursup. The current platform has been described as opaque and unfair. A new system is planned to replace Parcoursup in 2028, with changes beginning in 2027. Parliament is scheduled to debate the issue on Wednesday.

Higher Education Minister Philippe Baptiste stated that 15,000 extra student places would be created in higher education. These new positions will focus on vocational courses. Baptiste said the government’s door was open for further discussions, indicating a willingness to negotiate beyond the initial package.

Louis Letoublon, who met with Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu on behalf of Les Lycéens, said the government had realized it must listen to students. He noted that not all demands were met, but the union would continue its efforts for as long as necessary. Letoublon praised the students for demonstrating and forcing the government to act.

The protests have intensified since the start of the high school blockades in September. Trade unions and cost-of-living protesters have joined the students in regular mass street demonstrations on Saturdays. Several children have been injured by police explosive weapons, and hundreds have been arrested and held in custody.

Following a day of severe violence in October, authorities increased security measures and placed restrictions on demonstrations. Curfews were implemented in certain cities, and protest routes were pushed to the outskirts on Saturday. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said ultra-right groups had targeted protesters in cities like Nice and Montpellier, with eleven suspects facing charges.

President Emmanuel Macron visited Marseille on Monday and acknowledged that street protests would likely continue. He described the next demonstration on October 31 as a day of risk. Macron stated that the country was in a state of turmoil six months before a presidential election, where Marine Le Pen is currently leading the polls.