French Students Protest Over School Conditions in Paris Suburbs and Beyond

Tens of thousands of French high school students and supporters protested this week over dilapidated schools, overcrowding, and teacher shortages, sparking a national movement that began in Paris' deprived suburbs and led to over 5,000 arrests. The protests, which spread to more than 1,200 schools and cities including Marseille and Lille, drew police responses with tear gas and rubber bullets. Students in Seine-Saint-Denis reported canceled classes, unsanitary conditions, and unfilled teaching positions, blaming government cuts and inadequate investment. The demonstrations have become a political flashpoint as the government announced unpopular spending cuts in its 2027 budget, with education funding rising only 1.7% below inflation. Experts say the unrest reflects growing influence of marginalized urban neighborhoods and follows decades of stagnating per-student spending.