Dozens of French schools blockaded over education reforms

Paris, November 3 — Students across France have blockaded dozens of high schools in a continuing protest over education reforms, as trade unions prepare for a nationwide strike later in the week. Upon their return from a two-week autumn break, some students resumed their campaign, demanding authorities renovate dilapidated schools, reduce class sizes, and create more university places.

Authorities confirmed that 48 out of France’s 3,700 high schools were currently blocked, including institutions in Paris, Rennes, Toulouse, and Lyon. The Union syndicale lyceenne (USL) disputed these numbers, claiming that 500 establishments were affected. The student union denounced what it called heavy-handed tactics, including students being pinned against walls and riot police deployed outside the schools.

A union representative told AFP that the objective is to suppress the movement and impede Thursday's planned mobilization. On Thursday, students are scheduled to stage another round of blockades, with trade unions calling for a nationwide strike. In the northwestern city of Rennes, approximately 30 students blocked access to Brequigny High School, one of the nation's largest secondary schools.

Tensions escalated when a staff member protested against the students, stating, "You are not the majority. If we’re doing this, it’s because everything we’ve tried before hasn’t worked." The student replied, "You are the minority, and we will not give in." The school demonstrations have galvanized a broader nationwide movement against rising prices and inadequate public services, leading to widespread protests over the past three weekends and some of the worst unrest in France in years on October 17.

This student-led movement has also inspired similar actions in other European countries, such as Belgium, Italy, and Spain, with the French term "blocus" (blockade) gaining popularity as a hashtag. Last week, the French government introduced measures to address some of the students' demands, including reforms to the university admissions process, which has been criticized for a lack of transparency.

However, student leaders argue that these proposals do not go far enough. Authorities reported that 42 high schools, or about 1 percent of the national total, were blocked on Monday, while student unions estimated the figure to be 169. Roughly 15 percent of higher education institutions were impacted on that day.