French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu acknowledged that high-school protests stem from real grievances and said the government will present its first measures at the end of October.
Authorities are working across five areas, including improving school facilities, organizing the school day and ensuring classes are covered when teacher shortages leave lessons without staff. Lecornu said the first government decisions would be presented at the end of October. Parliament is due to discuss the Education Ministry’s 2027 budget on November 12.
Protests over overloaded schedules, teacher shortages and other education problems have continued for a second week. University students, teachers and parents have joined the demonstrations. The latest figures put arrests at more than 6,600, mostly minors. The Associated Press has also reported more than 6,500 arrests. Some demonstrations have involved disorder.
Lecornu said young people’s anger did not come from nowhere. He acknowledged that too many promises had been made in the past that could not be kept and said his government would work to address students’ demands. Education is one of the few areas whose budget is set to increase in 2027.