PARIS, France | October 6, 2026 | Thousands of students, teachers and parents took to the streets across France on Tuesday as a growing protest movement over underfunded schools, teacher shortages and deteriorating facilities reached its biggest day of demonstrations, with police using tear gas during clashes in several cities.
High school students blockaded schools from Lille in the north to Marseille in the south, while demonstrations were reported in Paris, Strasbourg, Lyon, Rennes, Nantes and other cities. Reuters reported that the protests, which began in the Paris region in September, have expanded nationwide and increasingly tested the government of President Emmanuel Macron.
The movement has focused on complaints about overcrowded classrooms, missing teachers, poor school buildings and unequal educational opportunities. Students have also raised concerns about long school hours and the pressure of France’s education system.
The demonstrations have not been uniformly violent. Many rallies remained peaceful, but clashes with police were reported in Strasbourg, Lyon and Rennes. Police deployed tear gas and other crowd-control measures as some protesters confronted officers.
French authorities have reported thousands of arrests since the protests began, with a large majority involving minors. The Interior Ministry has also reported hundreds of injured police officers, while students have suffered injuries during confrontations. One of the most serious incidents involved a 15-year-old who lost a hand after handling a police stun grenade during unrest in Lens, according to French authorities and media reports.
The government has faced criticism over its handling of the demonstrations. Rights groups and political opponents have questioned the use of police force against young protesters, while officials have condemned violence and damage to public property.
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has sought to respond to some of the students’ demands, including concerns about teacher shortages and deteriorating school facilities. The government is also under pressure from trade unions, including the CGT, which joined calls for broader demonstrations.
The protests come as France prepares its 2027 budget amid mounting fiscal pressure. According to the Associated Press, the proposed education allocation is €65.5 billion, making it one of the largest areas of government spending, but students and educators argue that existing resources are not reaching schools where needs are greatest.
France has a long history of student-led political movements. Young people played a major role in the nationwide upheaval of May 1968, when student protests grew into a broader strike involving millions of workers. More recently, French students have repeatedly mobilized over education reforms, labor policies and government austerity measures.
The current movement has also acquired political significance ahead of France’s 2027 presidential election. Far-left politicians have expressed support for the students, while government supporters have accused political groups of exploiting the unrest. Those allegations have been rejected by figures on the left.
For the government, Tuesday’s demonstrations represent a significant test of whether the growing movement can be contained through negotiations and education reforms or whether continuing confrontations will deepen public anger over France’s schools and broader economic pressures.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
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