Nationwide student protests intensify across France

A wave of student protests, which began in late September at the Lycée Saint-Exupéry in the Paris suburbs, has escalated into a nationwide movement against staff shortages, overcrowded classrooms, and deteriorating school infrastructure. By early October, protests had spread to major cities including Marseille, Lyon, and Toulouse, with hundreds of schools forced to partially or fully close due to safety concerns. Education Minister Edouard Geffray reported that between 400 and 500 schools were disrupted by Monday, October 5, while the High School Students Union later claimed that up to 1,800 schools were impacted by Tuesday's demonstrations.

Clashes between students and riot police have become increasingly violent, with authorities reporting at least 215 teenagers, 85 school staff, and over 700 police officers injured during the unrest. In a critical incident on Monday in Lens, a 15-year-old student lost his hand after picking up a police dispersal grenade. Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu has described the events as the most violent school protests in decades. Amidst the chaos, the government is struggling to finalize the 2027 budget as public debt concerns rise. President Emmanuel Macron has convened an emergency meeting with senior ministers to address the crisis, while the government has committed to launching a platform for students to voice their grievances.