Protests in France

Universities and students are now also involved.

From a shortage of teachers to a nationwide protest

The protests were sparked by specific problems within the French education system (a shortage of teachers, overcrowded classrooms and school buildings in need of renovation). Schools in socially deprived suburbs of the French capital, such as those in Seine-Saint-Denis, are particularly hard hit. There, many young people perceive the differences between these schools and those in the centre of Paris as a reflection of social inequality.

Added to this is the intense pressure to perform and compete when transitioning to higher education. The French university admissions system Parcoursup has also come in for criticism. Pupils see it as an additional source of stress and social inequality in access to university.

The movement is remarkable in that it did not begin at universities, but at the lycées – the French secondary schools. Within a few days, however, it had spread to numerous regions across France. According to the Ministry of Education, by 1 October more than 1,000 schools had been affected by protests or strikes, with over 200 of them blockaded.

Why school protests turned into riots

Alongside peaceful demonstrations, there were increasing incidents of roadblocks, damage to property and clashes with the police. Barricades were erected and rubbish bins set alight in several towns and cities. The French government responded by stepping up the police presence.

The conflict has thus evolved beyond the original demands for better schools. The government now sometimes refers to ‘urban violence’, whilst trade unions and human rights organisations warn of a disproportionate response by the security forces. Amnesty International has criticised, in particular, the use of tear gas and other police tactics against demonstrators, some of whom are minors.

the start of the mobilisation, thousands of people have been temporarily detained. At the same time, injuries amongst demonstrators have been reported and several investigations have been launched by the French police oversight body, the IGPN.

What does this have to do with students?

In Paris, universities are now also taking part in the protests. A joint march by school pupils and university students from the Place de la République to the Place de la Nation has been announced for 6 October. Some universities have also been affected by blockades.

The protests thus highlight a conflict that extends beyond individual school buildings: what should an education system look like that offers everyone comparable opportunities, regardless of where they live or their social background? The French movement has not yet provided a unified answer to this question, but it does demonstrate how quickly everyday problems within the education system can develop into a mass political movement.

At the TU, too, funding, study conditions and social justice are key issues in higher education policy. In June 2026, we called for protests to demand better funding for Hamburg’s universities and warned against cuts to the range of courses, university places and student employment opportunities. Since then, jobs have been cut and the semester fee has been increased. The protests in France thus highlight a trend that is also relevant to the TUHH.
When schools and universities are forced to operate on insufficient resources in the long term, issues of educational equity, access and the political priority given to education quickly escalate into social conflicts. For students in particular, this raises the question of how much student involvement and public pressure are needed to secure good study conditions in the long term.