Hundreds of French high schools have been barricaded by teenagers and forced to close, with hundreds reportedly injured in clashes with police. This marks the largest youth protest movement in decades concerning the condition of French lycées, which educate 15- to 18-year-olds.
Students assert that the education system is marked by inequality, with many school buildings in disrepair, class sizes too large, and insufficient teachers and funding. The French Prime Minister has pledged to address what he termed “legitimate” complaints, specifically mentioning class sizes, long hours, dilapidated buildings, and teacher provisions.
According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), a child from a deprived neighbourhood in France has less chance of improving their socioeconomic background than in most other developed nations. An OECD education analyst noted a significant gap in performance between the most advantaged and disadvantaged students, with the latter often attending disadvantaged schools.
Some high school buildings, particularly in certain cities and low-income suburbs, are reportedly dilapidated, with student and teacher videos showing leaks, rats, holes in walls and ceilings, and broken toilets. Estimates suggest thousands of French schools at all levels require repair, with a senate report advising billions in spending for renovations and climate crisis impact.
French language lessons have an average of 29 students, compared to 26 across the OECD, with larger class sizes often found in urban areas. School days in France are also longer than in most OECD countries, with high school pupils complaining of days running from 8am to 6pm, often with gaps.
The education ministry has acknowledged that approximately 10% of teaching hours are not delivered annually. An education union estimated that over half of all public middle and high schools lacked at least one teacher at the start of the September school year.