French high school students blockade entrances in renewed education protests

Students blockaded secondary school entrances across France on Tuesday to press the government over education reforms. Euronews and RTÉ reported that the blockades coincided with trade unions preparing for a nationwide strike planned for later this week. [1][2]

Students resumed their demonstration campaign after returning on Monday from a two-week autumn break, according to Euronews and RTÉ. Protesters called on authorities to renovate dilapidated school buildings, lower class sizes, and expand university admissions. Euronews reported that authorities confirmed blockades at 48 of the 3,700 high schools across France. [1][2]

The school demonstrations have contributed to a broader movement over rising costs and inadequate public services. Euronews reported that the wider protests drew hundreds of thousands of people into the streets over the past three weekends. Demonstrations against poor school and economic conditions began in September 2026, and in early October, the movement expanded to include parents, political groups, yellow vests, and trade unions, with total nationwide participation estimated at 550,000 to 800,000 people. [1][10]

As FTMQ News reported earlier, previous school protests included blockades at hundreds of educational facilities over missing teachers and degraded classrooms. Protests in early October resulted in clashes where police deployed tear gas, batons, and riot-control munitions, leading to 1,949 arrests recorded by the French Interior Ministry on October 1. [12][13]