France Extends €4bn Loan to Regions for School Repairs Amid Student Unrest

The French government announced a €4bn loan to regional authorities on Monday to address the physical state of high school buildings, a move that did not stop student leaders from demanding continued protests.

Education minister Édouard Geffray stated that some schools were in such poor condition that they were "not fit" for teaching. The funding is intended to begin repairs on structures that have suffered from collapsing ceilings, mould, broken toilets, and windows that fail to shut.

Pierre Sourzat of the student union Les Lycéens told France Info television that the group remains in a "power struggle" with the government. He argued that the announced measures were not enough to satisfy the movement's demands, stating, "We want measures, not half measures."

The government also proposed capping class sizes for 15-year-olds at 28 in the first year of high school. This limit will apply to the 50% of schools in the lowest-income areas initially, with plans to extend it to all high schools the following year. Geffray said additional teaching posts would be created to support these changes.

Changes to the university application system were also outlined. The platform Parcoursup, which critics have described as opaque, will be modified in 2027 and replaced by a new system in 2028. Higher education minister Philippe Baptiste said 15,000 extra student places would be created, with a focus on vocational courses.

Louis Letoublon of Les Lycéens, who met with Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, said the government's response showed it was afraid to ignore student demands. He noted that while the students gained ground, not all requests were met, and the union would continue its mobilization for as long as necessary.

The protests have been ongoing for more than five weeks, starting in September. The movement has been joined by trade unions and cost-of-living protesters in mass demonstrations on Saturdays. Several children have been injured during the protests, allegedly by police explosive weapons, while hundreds have been arrested and held in custody.

Authorities increased security measures following the clashes on 17 October, which included looting, fires, and vandalism of state buildings. Curfews were imposed in certain cities, and protest routes were moved to the outskirts on Saturday. Interior minister Laurent Nuñez reported that ultra-right groups had arrived in "organised formations" in cities like Nice and Montpellier, with eleven suspects facing charges.

President Emmanuel Macron visited Marseille on Monday and described the upcoming demonstration on 31 October as a "day of risk." He stated that the looting and vandalism seen in mid-October should not happen again and acknowledged the turmoil occurring six months before a presidential election, where he is scheduled to step down next spring.