WORLD

High school students turn out for new protests

National education unions call a general strike in support of a rally planned in the capital Paris.

Agence France-Presse · Oct 9, 2026, 3:45 AM

POLICE officers in riot gear scuffle with protesters as they attempt to evacuate a blockade action during a demonstration of students near Helene Boucher high school in Paris, on 8 October 2026, as part of a nationwide protest movement over learning conditions. Since late September, pupils have barred the entrances to hundreds of schools, complaining of teacher absences, overloaded timetables, dilapidated classrooms and buildings ill-adapted to rising temperatures, among other grievances. — Photo by SIMON WOHLFAHRT/AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

PARIS, France (AFP) — High school students across France launched a fresh day of protests on Thursday, despite government attempts to ease the crisis which has rocked the country for days.

Students have blocked entrances to hundreds of high schools across the country since late September, and protests have on occasion spiralled into violent clashes with riot police.

Student union leaders urged fresh mobilization across France Thursday, with a rally planned in the capital Paris and national education unions calling a general strike in support.

While many rallies have been peaceful, some demonstrators have started fires, destroyed bus shelters or clashed with riot police — with unions, rights groups and the children accusing police of using disproportionate force.

In a televised address Wednesday evening, the prime minister Sebastien Lecornu attempted to calm tensions, promising a plan to respond to the crisis by the end of October.

Although Lecornu denied that security forces have “orders to confront” the young people, many students were unconvinced.

Outside one high school in Rennes, around 60 students had already gathered early Thursday.

Hanaa, an 18-year-old student, told Agence France-Presse she was “disappointed and unconvinced” by Lecornu’s remarks.

“We expected more from him,” agreed fellow student Salyna, 17, who said they were also disappointed the government response would not be announced until the end of the month.

“This is an urgent situation.”

Suzanne Nijdam, president of university student association FAGE, said they did not have “even the crumbs of an agreement” after a meeting with the higher education minister Philippe Baptiste.

She called for protests to continue outside high schools and government administrative offices Thursday, with “larger-scale demonstrations next week.”

As the government tried to adopt a conciliatory tone, education minister Edouard Geffray was to visit a high school in Reims and take part in a “dialogue” with students.

And a fresh meeting between the three main student associations with Geffray and Baptiste was planned for Thursday afternoon.

The students have asked for a direct meeting with Lecornu to present what they say are costed proposals to address their demands.

Student demonstrators — many attending high schools called lycees for children aged between 15 and 18 years old — have complained of missing teachers, overloaded timetables, dilapidated classrooms and buildings that cannot cope with rising temperatures.

Classes were partially or completely suspended in 375 schools across the country on Thursday morning, according to the education ministry.