France loans €4bn to regions for school repairs as students vow to continue blockades

The French government has committed a 4 billion euro loan to regional authorities to repair school buildings, a figure announced by Education Minister Édouard Geffray on Monday. Geffray stated that some institutions were in such poor condition that they were "not fit" for instruction, citing issues including collapsing ceilings, mould, broken toilets, and windows that failed to close.

The funding package accompanies a set of policy changes aimed at addressing the grievances of high school students. Geffray announced that class sizes for 15-year-olds in the first year of high school will be capped at 28 in 50 percent of schools located in the lowest-income areas. This cap is scheduled to expand to all high schools next year. The government also plans to create additional teaching posts and review the French baccalaureate system.

Changes to higher education access are also included in the proposal. The university application platform Parcoursup, which students have criticized for being opaque, will be modified in 2027 and replaced by a new system in 2028. Higher Education Minister Philippe Baptiste said 15,000 extra student places would be created, with a focus on vocational courses. Parliament is set to debate the application system on Wednesday.

Student leaders have not accepted the government's concessions. Pierre Sourzat of the student union Les Lycéens told France Info television that the group is engaged in a power struggle and requires continued mobilization to meet their demands. "We want measures, not half measures," Sourzat said. Louis Letoublon, who met with Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, noted that while the government appeared to be listening, not all demands were met. He urged students to continue protesting for as long as necessary.

The unrest has persisted for more than five weeks since blockades began in September. The movement has drawn support from trade unions and cost-of-living protesters who join regular Saturday street demonstrations. Several children have been injured, allegedly by police explosive weapons, and hundreds have been arrested. Authorities increased security and imposed curfews in certain cities after a day of intense violence on October 17, which featured looting and vandalism. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez reported that ultra-right groups arrived in organized formations in cities like Nice and Montpellier at the weekend, leading to charges for eleven suspects.

President Emmanuel Macron visited Marseille on Monday and described the upcoming demonstration on October 31 as a day of risk. He said the country should not be in such a state of turmoil six months before a presidential election, noting that he will step down next spring while Marine Le Pen leads the polls. Macron stated that the government would hold the line and address legitimate expectations, but he warned that nothing was a foregone conclusion. Baptiste said the government’s door remained open for further discussions.