The nationwide student and teacher movement demanding education system reform in France has escalated dramatically into a major urban security crisis, with Paris police making a record 1,260 arrests over the past month—86 percent of whom are minors.
French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu condemned the escalating unrest, stating that the movement has transformed from student grievances into "urban violence" and denouncing "odious calls inciting violence" across Paris and other regions. Education Minister Édouard Geffray confirmed that students across approximately 200 high schools nationwide continue to lead blockades and demonstrations.
The wave of protests originated on September 17, 2026, at a suburban Paris high school over teacher shortages, overcrowded classrooms, and long school hours before spreading to major cities including Marseille, Lyon, and even the prestigious business school HEC Paris in Jouy-en-Josas. Paris police confirmed that 286 police officers and gendarmes along with 13 education staff members have been injured over the four-week period, with a single-day peak of 71 security officers injured during violent clashes on October 13.
In response, Education Minister Geffray announced that the government is reviewing the "Parcoursup" higher education admission platform with new policy measures expected by late October. Furthermore, two-thirds of the promised 3,000 substitute teachers have already been deployed to schools, reducing the number of high-risk "red zone" schools in Gradignan from 114 to 47. However, student unions including "Les Lycéens!" and "Union Syndicale Lycéenne" have called for a fresh wave of nationwide protests this coming Saturday, while Lyon municipal authorities issued an outright ban on student rallies citing public order threats.
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Reported by International Desk • Edited by the Daily Best News desk. Send corrections to [email protected].
