By Adyan Parvez (Y11)
For thousands of students across France, going to school has become a source of frustration. Overcrowded classrooms, teacher shortages and poor school conditions have led to growing anger among the young generation. Since September, protests have spread across the country, with students blocking school entrances (frequently referred to as a “blocus”) and joining demonstrations. Some protests have even turned violent with the vandalising of school property. But what is making so many students angry, and why do they feel the need to take such action?
Growing frustration with schools
One of the main reasons behind the protests is the condition of French schools. Students have complained about overcrowded classrooms, old school buildings and lessons being cancelled because there are not enough teachers. These problems make it harder for students to concentrate and prepare for important exams.
Some students have also raised concerns about the pressure they face when applying to university. Parcoursup, France’s university application platform, has been criticised for creating stress and uncertainty about students’ futures. With exams, homework and expectations about their careers, many teenagers already have enough to worry about.
As a student at La Chât, I find it interesting to compare our school experience with what some students in France are protesting about. For example, we have classrooms with the equipment we need, access to computers and online learning resources, and teachers who can help us prepare for exams. However, some students in French public schools have to deal with overcrowded classrooms, lessons being cancelled because of teacher shortages, and buildings in need of repairs. Imagine having an important exam coming up but missing several lessons because your teacher has not been replaced. You would still be expected to achieve good grades, even though you had not been given the same opportunities to prepare. This makes the protests more relevant to us because although we are all students with exams and academic pressure, we do not necessarily face the same problems. It also raises an important question: should the quality of a student’s education depend on which school they attend?
Students want to be heard
For many young people, the protests are about more than just school conditions. They also feel that the government is not listening to their concerns. Some believe that previous complaints have not led to enough change, so protesting has become a way to attract attention.
Social media has helped the demonstrations spread, allowing students to share videos and show others what is happening. It has also helped young people realise that they are not the only ones facing these problems.
However, the protests have caused controversy. Some demonstrations have involved clashes with police, arrests and damage to property. While many students are protesting peacefully, these incidents have raised concerns about safety. Some of the most serious unrest has taken place in cities such as Nantes and Lens, where police have been forced to use tear gas and water cannons. Even in the nearby area of Ferney-Voltaire, several hundred protesters gathered in front of the international school, showing how the unrest is affecting suburban communities as well. Some people believe the police need to control the situation, while others think their response has sometimes been too harsh.
It is important to remember that not every student involved supports violence. Many simply want better schools and more support. At the same time, damaging buildings and putting people at risk will not solve the problems they are protesting about.
Will anything change?
The protests have put pressure on the French government to respond to students’ demands. In response, Emmanuel Macron, the president of the country, has already offered 3000 substitute teachers. Providing more teachers, improving school buildings and making university applications less stressful could help. However, students want to see real improvements rather than just hear promises.
In my opinion, it is understandable that students want better conditions, especially when their education affects their future. They are expected to work hard and achieve good grades, so they should have the support they need to succeed. Nevertheless, violence is not the answer, as it can distract attention from the real issues.
Ultimately, these protests raise an important question: if students are the ones experiencing these problems every day, shouldn’t their opinions be taken seriously? The government needs to listen and make meaningful changes. Otherwise, the frustration is unlikely to disappear anytime soon.