French Prime Minister promises students improvements, but not more money

School protests in France continue unabated, fueling concerns about broader protests in the country seven months before the presidential election. After the large rallies on Tuesday, there were also individual blockades at high schools and universities on Wednesday. Education unions called for renewed demonstrations on Thursday.

In the evening, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu assured the protesting students of better learning conditions, but did not promise any additional financial aid in the education sector. In the months before the election, the government will "act pragmatically to meet the expectations of high school students," Lecornu said in a speech.

Lecornu: Improve the situation at schools

In the education sector, additional spending of 1.2 billion euros is planned in the next budget, making the department one of the few with a growing budget, said Lecornu. The education unions had demanded ten billion euros in additional spending. In view of the high national debt, the government is struggling with an austerity budget.

In order to improve the situation at schools, there should be more substitute teachers, structural work on buildings, revised timetables, an improvement in the university admissions process "Parcoursup" and more say for the students, Lecornu continued.

Understanding of anger

The anger of young people does not come from nowhere. "No one can remain indifferent to their fears. They were children or were just beginning their youth during the Corona pandemic, we demanded considerable effort from them, and since then they have seen wars, climate change and sometimes their relatives in need."

Lecornu referred to an online platform on which students have been able to describe their problems and demands since Monday and which has already received 40,000 reactions.

All attempts by Lecornu's centrist government to channel the young people's protests, which began over a week ago, have so far been unsuccessful. On Sunday he instructed the ministers to find concrete measures to improve the situation in schools and to listen to the legitimate concerns of high school students. On Tuesday he told parliament that the problems should be discussed in schools from Wednesday to Friday and not taught. Instead of returning to class, a number of students protested again in front of the buildings. As a precautionary measure, 528 schools remained completely or partially closed.

Protests continue

The students want better school equipment, more teachers and better learning conditions. Specifically, it's about a lack of substitute teachers, run-down schools with broken windows and falling ceilings and timetables that are far too full. Particularly in disadvantaged neighborhoods, young people feel that their concerns are not being taken seriously.

According to the announcement by education unions, the protests are set to continue on Thursday. The high school union USL called for an afternoon rally on the Place de la Bastille in Paris.