France's high school students began a new stage of their campaign Monday for improved educational conditions, with fresh demonstrations scheduled for Tuesday that officials and observers view as a potential turning point in the movement launched in mid-September.
The protests, which have continued for several weeks, seek to maintain momentum after participation levels showed signs of decline. On Friday, the government reported a dramatic drop in the number of blockades and demonstrations outside the country's lycees, where students aged mostly between 15 and 18 complete their high school education. The education ministry said more than 96 percent of lycees were open on Friday.
Participation in recent demonstrations has fluctuated. Nearly 256,000 people took part in demonstrations on Tuesday, October 6, according to interior ministry figures. By Thursday, October 10, that number had declined to 71,500 demonstrators across France, according to the same source.
The union USL announced that protests would continue as long as demands totaling 10 billion euros remain unfulfilled. Students are calling for renovated school buildings and sufficient teaching staff. The movement has seen some incidents of unrest at its margins, with authorities temporarily detaining thousands of young people since mid-September. According to French justice ministry figures cited in reports, approximately 7,000 people have been arrested during the protests, with minors comprising roughly 86 percent of those detained.
The government hopes the movement is already winding down, particularly given that online activists have called for separate demonstrations on Saturday to protest the cost of living. For President Emmanuel Macron's administration, the prospect of overlapping protest movements recalls the Yellow Vest demonstrations that began in 2018 over a planned fuel tax increase.
Students plan to march toward the prime minister's office on Tuesday while budget discussions take place in the National Assembly. University students and faculty are expected to join high school students and teachers in the demonstrations, which organizers have designated as "Act 5" of their protest campaign.
On Monday, a separate incident occurred in Aubagne near Marseille when a teenager fired a hunting rifle, injuring a middle school principal and a teacher. The teenager was disarmed at the scene. Education Minister Édouard Jéffrey condemned the act as "unacceptable," characterizing it as reflecting "growing uncontrolled violence in our society." No connection between the shooting and the student movement has been established. President Macron praised the "composure" and "exemplary response" of the educational staff involved, stating their actions "allowed the worst to be avoided."