French students staged a fifth round of nationwide protests on Tuesday over education funding, controversial admissions policies and the Parcoursup university admissions platform, even as official figures showed participation continuing to fall.
The Interior Ministry recorded 30,000 demonstrators at 360 gatherings outside schools — down from 256,000 on October 6 and 71,500 on October 8. The Higher Education Ministry said 35 per cent of institutions saw disruptions including blockades and administrative closures, though student unions put the figure at 90 per cent. Education Minister Edouard Geffray told France Inter that around 200 establishments were closed — fewer than the previous week — while nearly 1,000 contract teachers were being recruited and a consultation platform had received 86,000 contributions.
Protests spread to several cities
Marches began in Lyon and Nantes, with blockades reported in Paris, Rennes and Strasbourg. Teachers' unions FSU-SNUIPP and SNES-FSU joined the action, and climate activist Greta Thunberg marched with protesters in Saint-Denis.
A movement entering a new phase
The protests have continued since late September, making them among the most sustained student actions France has seen in years. Whether the declining turnout reflects the government's consultation drive or protest fatigue ahead of the autumn holidays remains the open question as organisers weigh their next steps.
Sources:
TRT World
Yeni Safak
Al Jazeera
The Interior Ministry recorded 30,000 demonstrators at 360 gatherings outside schools — down from 256,000 on October 6 and 71,500 on October 8. The Higher Education Ministry said 35 per cent of institutions saw disruptions including blockades and administrative closures, though student unions put the figure at 90 per cent. Education Minister Edouard Geffray told France Inter that around 200 establishments were closed — fewer than the previous week — while nearly 1,000 contract teachers were being recruited and a consultation platform had received 86,000 contributions.
Protests spread to several cities
Marches began in Lyon and Nantes, with blockades reported in Paris, Rennes and Strasbourg. Teachers' unions FSU-SNUIPP and SNES-FSU joined the action, and climate activist Greta Thunberg marched with protesters in Saint-Denis.
A movement entering a new phase
The protests have continued since late September, making them among the most sustained student actions France has seen in years. Whether the declining turnout reflects the government's consultation drive or protest fatigue ahead of the autumn holidays remains the open question as organisers weigh their next steps.
Sources:
TRT World
Yeni Safak
Al Jazeera
