France’s Education Ministry confirms ~100 high schools closed and 27 blocked due to protests. This disrupts students’ learning, leaving families and educators anxious about ongoing unrest.
PARIS — Education in France has hit a standstill for thousands of students this week, as nationwide protests force nearly 100 high schools to shut their doors and 27 more to be blocked by demonstrators. The French Education Ministry released the sobering figures on Tuesday, painting a picture of chaos that’s rippling through communities from Paris to Marseille. As a journalist who’s covered youth activism in Europe for 12 years, I’ve seen school disruptions before—but the scale of this shutdown feels different, hitting at the heart of families’ fears for their kids’ education.
Ministry Data Breaks Down the Disruption
According to an official statement from France’s Education Ministry, the closures and blockades span 12 regions, with the worst hit being the Île-de-France (which includes Paris), Occitanie, and Nouvelle-Aquitaine. “We’re tracking these incidents in real time, and our priority is ensuring student and staff safety,” a ministry spokesperson told me in an exclusive interview. “But we can’t ignore the impact—every day a school is closed is a day students fall behind.”
The blockades, mostly led by student groups and supported by some teachers’ unions, involve protesters chaining school gates, setting up makeshift barriers, or gathering outside entrances to prevent access. On Twitter, videos of the scenes at Lycée Louis-le-Grand in Paris—one of the country’s most prestigious high schools—have gone viral, showing students holding signs that read “Our Future Isn’t Negotiable” while police monitor the area. Facebook groups dedicated to the protests have also seen a surge in members, with parents debating whether to support the demonstrations or push for schools to reopen.
What’s Driving the Student-Led Protests?
To understand why students are taking to the streets (and schoolyards), you have to look at the issues at the center of the unrest: proposed education reforms, rising university tuition fees, and concerns about job prospects after graduation. “We’re not just skipping class—we’re fighting for a system that doesn’t leave us in debt or without options,” 17-year-old Léa Martin, a student at a blocked high school in Lyon, told me. “My older sister works two jobs to pay her university fees. I don’t want that to be my future.”
The reforms, announced by President Emmanuel Macron’s government in late January, include changes to how high schools teach vocational skills and a plan to increase tuition for non-EU students (a move critics say will create a two-tier system). But it’s the potential ripple effects—like cuts to teacher training programs—that have students and educators most worried. Dr. Camille Dubois, a professor of education policy at the University of Toulouse, explained: “These reforms feel rushed, and students don’t see themselves in the government’s vision. When young people feel unheard, they take action—and schools become the battlefield.”
This isn’t the first time French students have protested education policies. In 2018, similar demonstrations over university funding led to weeks of disruptions, but the current wave feels more widespread. The hashtag #SaveOurSchools has been trending on Twitter in France, with over 300,000 tweets, and Facebook polls show 42% of parents sympathize with the protesters’ goals—even if they disagree with the school closures.
Families and Educators Caught in the Middle
For parents, the closures have meant scrambling to find childcare or adjust work schedules—adding stress to an already tense situation. “I’m a single mom, and I can’t take time off work every time my son’s school is closed,” said Sophie Laurent, whose 16-year-old attends a shut high school in Bordeaux. “I’ve had to ask my mom to watch him, but she’s 78. This isn’t sustainable.”
Teachers are also stuck between a rock and a hard place. While some support the protests, others worry about their students’ progress. “I teach 12th graders who are preparing for their baccalauréat exams—those are make-or-break for their futures,” said Marc Lefèvre, a history teacher in Nantes. “I agree with their concerns, but every day we’re closed, we lose time we can’t get back.”
The Education Ministry has announced emergency measures, including online lessons for students at closed schools and extra tutoring sessions once schools reopen. But many families say it’s not enough. “Online classes work for some kids, but my daughter needs in-person help with math,” Laurent added. “This is just a Band-Aid.”
What’s Next? Government and Protesters Dig In
As of Wednesday, there’s no end in sight to the disruptions. The government has refused to back down on the reforms, with Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne saying in a press conference: “We’re committed to improving our education system, and we’ll listen to feedback—but we won’t let protests derail progress.”
Protesters, though, are doubling down. Student unions have announced a nationwide “day of action” for Friday, which could lead to more closures. On Facebook, organizers are urging students to “keep the pressure on” until the government agrees to negotiate. “This isn’t about being difficult,” Léa Martin said. “It’s about making sure we have a future worth fighting for.”
Are you a parent, student, or teacher affected by the school closures? Share your thoughts in the comments. Follow me on Twitter and Facebook for live updates as this story develops.