File photo: Protesters march during a demonstration in Paris
France’s government on Monday pledged to replace its national university admissions platform by 2028 and introduce a series of education reforms, seeking to address student grievances after weeks of protests over university access, school funding and the rising cost of living. About 2,400 people were arrested in connection with the demonstrations, even as hundreds of thousands of people took part in peaceful marches.
Higher education minister Philippe Baptiste announced that the existing platform, Parcoursup, would undergo “substantial change” for the 2027 admissions round before being replaced the following year. The government also promised smaller classes, additional teaching posts, more higher education places, increased student grants and funding for building renovations. The movement, which began with school blockades in mid-September, has expanded beyond education to include workers demanding relief from rising living costs.
Further demonstrations are planned for October 31, followed by nationwide strikes and protests called by labour unions for November 5. To improve learning conditions, the government pledged to cap some first-year high school classes at 28 students from 2027, beginning with more disadvantaged schools. It also promised to reverse planned cuts to secondary-school teaching positions and create 500 additional jobs.
Two high school student groups welcomed some of the government’s concessions but called for protests to continue, according to the AP. Macron and his centrist government have faced criticism over their response to student grievances since high school blockades began in mid-September. The protests have also prompted scrutiny of police crowd-control weapons, which have been blamed for life-changing injuries to some teenagers.
Their representatives met Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu earlier on Monday, before the government announced the measures.