French Students Protest School Conditions in Paris Suburbs and Beyond

Tens of thousands of French high school students protested this week over poor school conditions, teacher shortages, and overcrowding, with over 5,000 arrests and police using tear gas at more than 1,200 schools. The protests began in Paris' deprived suburbs like Seine-Saint-Denis, where two-thirds of schools have unfilled teacher positions, and spread to cities including Marseille and Lille. Students cite cancelled classes, unsanitary conditions, and a below-inflation 1.7% education budget increase announced Thursday. The movement is the largest since the 1990s, reflecting growing political influence of marginalized urban areas. Experts note stagnant per-student spending over the past decade despite expanded responsibilities like the Parcoursup admissions system.