French high school student protests resumed on Monday on a reduced scale, with young demonstrators blockading 41 schools, approximately 1% of those nationwide, according to the Education Ministry. This marks a significant decrease from previous weeks, when hundreds of schools were blockaded.
The protests, which began in September and initially focused on education issues, have expanded to include concerns about the cost of living and perceived social inequality. The movement, part of a broader wave of "Gen Z" protests across Europe, has also seen instances of violence and clashes with police in recent weeks.
Education Minister Edouard Geffray stated that while protests are permitted, blockading schools is illegal. He reiterated the government's offers, including capping class sizes, dedicating €4 billion to school renovations, creating 15,000 new higher education places, and implementing a new admissions system by 2028. However, high school student representatives have deemed these offers insufficient, vowing to continue their demonstrations.
Students are demanding renovations for aging school buildings, more teachers, increased university places, and an end to what they view as a socially unfair university admissions system. The protests have drawn attention across Europe, with similar movements reported in Germany, Italy, Belgium, and Albania, reflecting widespread youth grievances.