French students protest again as 214 high schools close

High school and university students returned to the streets of Paris on October 13, demanding more education funding and an end to selection through Parcoursup.

One demonstration began outside Paris City Hall under heightened police supervision, according to a RIA Novosti correspondent at the scene. Education workers organized a separate march from Place d'Italie to Les Invalides.

Protesters have raised concerns about teacher shortages, overloaded timetables and study conditions. Their demand to abolish Parcoursup targets the existing platform for applications and allocation of places in higher education.

Education Minister Edouard Geffray initially expected about 200 high schools to close. The ministry later reported 214 closures and said 94.2% of high schools remained open. Reuters relayed those figures from the ministry's statement.

The student movement began in September. Tuesday's marches marked another day of mobilization. Earlier accounts of arrests and clashes cover a longer period of protests and should not be read as totals for October 13 alone.