Photos: School blockades, street protests grip France | Protests News
Protests Erupt Across France as Students Demand Better Education Conditions
Published October 6, 2026
Tens of thousands of demonstrators took to the streets across France on Tuesday, as teachers and labor unions joined high school students who have been protesting for better educational conditions for several days. The protests have been marked by both peaceful demonstrations and instances of violence.
According to the French Ministry of the Interior, approximately 86,000 people participated in the demonstrations, while the General Confederation of Labour (CGT) union estimated the number at 260,000.
Students have been blocking entrances to hundreds of high schools since late September, citing concerns over a lack of teachers, overcrowded timetables, and deteriorating classroom conditions, which have been exacerbated by rising temperatures.
While many of the protests have remained peaceful, some demonstrators have reportedly set fires, vandalized bus shelters, and clashed with riot police. In response, law enforcement deployed batons, tear gas, and riot-control munitions.
Injuries and Investigations
The Ministry of the Interior reported that 215 students and 715 police officers have sustained injuries since the protests began. Unions, human rights organizations, and student groups have accused government authorities of employing excessive force.
In a striking incident, a 15-year-old student lost a hand due to a stun grenade fired during clashes with riot officers in the northern town of Lens on Monday. In light of various allegations of police brutality, the Interior Minister, Laurent Nunez, announced that 10 internal investigations have been initiated.
Additionally, the Ministry of Education indicated that 24 schools have been damaged or set on fire during the protests. Over 5,000 individuals, of whom 87 percent are minors, have been arrested.
Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu’s office reported that 85 members of the teaching staff have also been injured amid the unrest. In a proactive measure, the government is seeking to pass legislation that would require individuals accountable for damages to public property to cover repair costs personally, rather than relying on public funds.
