French High School Students Launch New Protests for Change

French high school students are commencing a new phase of protests on Tuesday, aiming to improve their educational conditions. This movement began in mid-September, with the government reporting a notable decrease in blockades at lycees, with over 96 percent open.

The government is eager to quell the protests, especially with online activists planning demonstrations against the cost of living. The protests have already resulted in significant costs, with damages estimated at “at least 30 million euros” and over 6,800 detentions, predominantly of minors.

Following clashes with police, the government suspended the use of stun grenades. Education Minister Edouard Geffray announced plans to deploy 3,000 substitute teachers to the most affected high schools, while Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu promised budget adjustments to address student concerns.

However, the Union of High School students criticized the government's initial proposals as insufficient, demanding an additional 10 million euros for lycees. Concerns have also arisen regarding the impact of protests on upcoming medical exams.