Student protests across France are set to intensify as a student group has announced plans to resume school blockades from Monday, November 2, following weeks of demonstrations over rising living costs, inequality and deteriorating educational conditions.
The head of the student group Lyceens!, Pierre Sourzat, said some secondary schools would be blocked as students return from a two-week holiday, adding that the government’s proposed reforms had failed to address their concerns.
Speaking to French broadcaster RMC on Sunday, Sourzat said the protests would become more widespread from Tuesday, although some schools were expected to be blockaded as early as Monday.
He also expressed support for students participating in the planned demonstrations.
The announcement follows a third consecutive weekend of nationwide protests on Saturday, when hundreds of thousands of people, including secondary school and university students, took to the streets across France.
The demonstrations have been driven by concerns over soaring living costs, educational inequality and worsening learning conditions.
In response to the growing unrest, the French government announced a series of measures on Monday, including plans to replace the university admissions platform and provide loans for school renovation projects.
However, student representatives have dismissed the proposals as inadequate.
Sabrine Kharbach, spokesperson for the Union Etudiante (Student Union), said university and secondary school blockades were also planned for Tuesday and Thursday.
One of the major concerns raised by students is the proposed reform of the university admissions platform, which has faced criticism over its lack of transparency and failure to address the shortage of available places in higher education institutions.
Sourzat also criticised the government’s proposal to reduce class sizes, arguing that the measure was limited to only 10th-grade students rather than covering all year groups.
Meanwhile, President Emmanuel Macron has called for schools to resume activities peacefully, insisting that young people have been heard by the government.
However, Sourzat rejected the president’s position, accusing the government of offering superficial solutions without addressing the underlying challenges facing students.
The renewed demonstrations come as France’s economy faces mounting pressure, with concerns over a possible recession and efforts to control public debt limiting the government’s capacity to introduce additional spending measures.
