Protests by high school students in France, which have been ongoing for nearly two months, have entered a new phase. Despite steps announced by the government regarding the education system and school infrastructure, student organizations and unions have called for a nationwide strike and demonstrations.
The government of Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu had announced, in an effort to quell the protests, that Parcoursup, the national online platform used for the university admissions process, would be reorganized starting in 2027 and completely replaced by 2028. The government also stated that more resources would be allocated to school buildings and that additional support would be provided to schools in disadvantaged areas.
However, these promises did not convince the student and education organizations participating in the actions. A meeting in Paris at the Prime Minister's office to discuss the Parcoursup reform also ended in tension. A significant portion of student groups and education unions left the talks in protest of the participation of far-right representatives and business world representatives.
Speaking after leaving the meeting, Éloïse Lefebvre-Milon, co-president of the student union Union étudiante, said, "We are calling on everyone who supports the legitimate demands of young people and the demands of workers to take to the streets."
The coalition calling for the action includes major French labor unions CGT and FO, as well as high school and university student organizations. The coalition argues that pressure on the government must be increased.
Ryad Rani, president of the High School Students' Union, also stated that they would not take a step back, saying, "The balance of power is in our favor. We must continue the struggle." Rani said the actions are being carried out not only for students but also for the working conditions of teachers.
Sophie Vénétitay, president of Snes-FSU, the largest union representing middle and high school teachers, announced that due to the rising tension around schools, Tuesday's actions would be held under security measures and in the form of controlled marches.
Although most of the protests have been peaceful, incidents of violence have occurred around some schools. In the Seine-et-Marne region east of Paris, firework mortars were detonated at two high schools; the regional administration reported that two students were injured at one school. Five people were detained following incidents in the cities of Le Havre and Rouen in Normandy. Similar tensions were also reported in Angers and Meurthe-et-Moselle.
News Source: 12punto
