Towards an act III of high school student demonstrations? The government is trying to defuse the crisis

Towards an act III of high school student demonstrations? On Monday, hundreds of high schools are closed again, at least partially, while a new day of mobilization is expected on Tuesday across France.

Of the country's 3,700 high schools, classes will be "totally or partially" suspended on Monday in 400 to 500 establishments where security conditions are "not met", Édouard Geffray, Minister of National Education, said on Sunday.

To try to contain the crisis, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu entrusted five projects to several of his ministers in a letter published this Sunday. A roadmap, led by the Minister of National Education, whose first decisions, with financing and timetable, are expected at the end of October. 20 Minutes summarizes the instructions given to you

“Provide lessons”

The government wants to tackle replacements for absent teachers in schools. As of this week, in each academy, “priority treatment for replacing long absences and unfilled positions, particularly in exam classes, specialties and professional education”, will be launched.

The objective is to reduce assignment times, improve short replacements but also allow missed lessons to be made up. The Prime Minister's letter mentions in particular the possibilities of internships during the holidays, for which families will be involved in the procedures. A first assessment is expected for October 16.

“Guarantee dignified reception conditions”

The unsanitary conditions of certain high schools are one of the major demands of angry high school students. Establishments falling under regional jurisdiction, the executive announces a meeting with regional presidents this Tuesday by videoconference to identify emergencies and define a timetable. Among the priorities: equipping classrooms, ensuring clean sanitary facilities and heating. “Neither the State nor the regions should blame each other for the difficulties,” insists Sébastien Lecornu.

The Ministers of Territorial Communities and Ecological Transition will also have to look into the adaptation of schools to climate change, particularly to extreme heat, with priorities to be defined before the end of October. Ventilation, revegetation, solar protection... Initial work is expected before summer 2027 as well as a more extensive construction schedule.

“Work on the organization of the days”

The government is calling for an examination, with staff and high school representatives, of possible improvements to timetables, the distribution of exams and staff working conditions. The interministerial digital department may be asked for support to improve the software intended for creating timetables, “thanks to artificial intelligence”, specifies the Prime Minister in his letter.

The Ministers of Sports and Health will also be asked to imagine better access to sport, culture and healthcare. On this last point, improvements will have to be proposed after the start of the All Saints' Day holidays with prioritization of places where access to a psychologist, a nurse or social support is the most difficult.

Transparency on orientation

The inequalities and lack of transparency of Parcoursup are also among the main reasons for the anger of the mobilized students. Before the end of October, the government promises an improvement for this year with more information for parents and high school students. A contact person will be designated in high schools to help families.

“Giving visible action to the words of high school students”

Of the commitments followed, it is “without doubt the most important”, confirms Sébastien Lecornu. The government intends to listen to students, in particular via the councils for high school life (CLV) with a “motivated” response provided to each proposal. Better representation of professional high school students in academic and national bodies is also requested. In voluntary establishments, students will be able to have some choice left over the high school project.

A collaborative platform will open this Monday and exchanges between establishments will continue until October 16 to “feed these projects”.

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