Teachers say France's new education package fails to calm student protests
French teachers criticised the government's recent education reforms as insufficient to calm ongoing student demonstrations.
Paris saw teachers denounce the French government's latest education proposals, which include capping some classes at 28 students, allocating billions for school building upgrades and revising university entry rules. Union secretary general Sophie Venetitay argued that the plan does not go far enough and called for additional staffing to improve learning conditions. Budget Minister David Amiel indicated the package will cost €5 billion and will be offset by reductions in other spending.
Student leaders welcomed the steps as a start but pledged to keep demonstrations alive on Saturday and on November 5. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez announced a strong police presence for the upcoming protest, amid broader unrest that has also boosted far-right leader Marine Le Pen's poll standing.
Why it matters
The dispute highlights France's struggle to balance education reform, fiscal constraints and widespread public discontent.
How this story developed
- Oct 5 French protests and media framing expose deeper European economic and migration crises
- Oct 23 Italy’s prime minister ordered the deployment of 500 soldiers to assist police amid the school occupations.
- Oct 23 Macron announced that only trade‑union‑organised protests will be permitted.
- Oct 23 Police deployments were expanded to include armored vehicles, helicopters and elite units such as the GIGN.
- Oct 24 France mobilised 70,000 police and imposed a nightly curfew in central Paris, closing 24 metro stations and several cultural venues.
- Oct 24 Police reported 135 arrests nationwide during Saturday demonstrations.
- Oct 24 Authorities reported over 2,700 arrests after the previous weekend's looting.
- Oct 24 The National Assembly approved a special inquiry into police conduct during the unrest.
- Oct 24 New arrests brought the total to 135 by midday.
- Oct 25 Hard‑left leader Jean‑Luc Mélenchon attended the Paris demonstration and said rallies would continue until President Emmanuel Macron addresses social discontent.
- Oct 25 Authorities estimated protest participation at over 400,000.
- Oct 25 French authorities recorded over 1,300 detentions and 53 police injuries as the protests spread to additional capitals.
- Oct 26 Student representatives said the government offered education measures but did not meet all their demands, so protests will continue.
- Oct 27 The government offered a school‑funding and class‑cut plan, which students rejected and vowed to keep protesting.
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