Student protests resumed across France on Monday following a two-week school break, although participation was significantly lower than in previous weeks.
Small groups of demonstrators attempted to block access to several secondary schools in Paris, Marseille and Rennes, according to French media reports.
Before the holidays, hundreds of France's more than 3,000 secondary schools had been affected by blockades and protest actions.
Demands extend beyond education
The protests began in suburbs around Paris in September before spreading nationwide.
While initially focused on education, the movement broadened to include concerns over the cost of living, attracting trade unions and activists and, at times, leading to violent confrontations.
The demonstrations form part of a wider wave of youth-led protests seen across Europe, including in Germany, Italy, Belgium and Albania, driven by concerns about rising living costs, deteriorating school infrastructure and corruption.
Last month, some protests in France descended into violence, with clashes between demonstrators and police, property damage and looting reported in several cities, creating political pressure for the minority government of President Emmanuel Macron.
Government says disruption remains limited
Education Minister Édouard Geoffroy said attempts to block schools on Monday were limited in scope.
"As far as the blockades, or rather attempted blockades, are concerned, the phenomenon is extremely marginal. We are talking about only a handful of schools," he told France Inter radio.
He said demonstrations are permitted, but preventing access to schools is illegal.
Television footage showed police present at some locations, although officers were not deployed in full riot gear.
Students reject government proposals
Students are demanding improved school facilities, more teachers, additional university places and changes to what they describe as an unfair university admissions system.
Last week, Geoffroy announced a package of measures, including:
- A cap of 28 pupils per class
- €4 billion for school renovations
- 15,000 additional university places
- A new university admissions system from 2028
Student representatives said the measures do not go far enough and pledged to continue demonstrations.
Source: ANA-MPA
