France pledges education reforms after protests over costs, school funding

File photo: Protesters march during a demonstration in Paris

France’s government on Monday pledged to replace its national university admissions platform by 2028 and introduce a series of education reforms, seeking to address student grievances after weeks of protests over university access, school funding and the rising cost of living.Higher education minister Philippe Baptiste announced that the existing platform, Parcoursup, would undergo “substantial change” for the 2027 admissions round before being replaced the following year. The government also promised smaller classes, additional teaching posts, more higher education places, increased student grants and funding for building renovations.The concessions follow France’s worst unrest in years on October 17, when demonstrations over education and living costs escalated into rioting and looting. According to the Associated Press, protesters set fires, looted shops, clashed with police and attacked public buildings. Groups briefly stormed Marseille’s City Hall, while a fire at Limoges’ 19th-century town hall brought down its roof and clock tower.About 2,400 people were arrested in connection with the demonstrations, even as hundreds of thousands of people took part in peaceful marches. The movement, which began with school blockades in mid-September, has expanded beyond education to include workers demanding relief from rising living costs.Two high school student groups welcomed some of the government’s concessions but called for protests to continue, according to the AP. Their representatives met Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu earlier on Monday, before the government announced the measures. Further demonstrations are planned for October 31, followed by nationwide strikes and protests called by labour unions for November 5.

Changes to Parcoursup

Parcoursup allows students to apply to universities and other higher education courses and receive admissions decisions. A record 1.05 million people applied through the platform this year, according to France’s higher education ministry.Students have criticised the system over what they describe as unclear selection criteria and unequal access to preferred courses. Under the changes announced for the 2027 admissions round, institutions would have to publish more detailed selection criteria. The platform would also provide explanatory information alongside rejections, while institutions would be required to give applicants the reasons for their decisions if asked.The government said a committee involving students and teachers would submit initial recommendations for a replacement system by the end of November. Legislation may be introduced if required to implement the proposed changes.The 2028 deadline, however, means the replacement system is unlikely to be delivered during president Emmanuel Macron’s current term. Macron cannot seek a third consecutive term in 2027, leaving the next president and government responsible for implementing the central promise.The AP reported that far-right leader Marine Le Pen was leading polling ahead of the first round of presidential voting scheduled for April 18, with a runoff planned for May 2. Her National Rally party has sought to capitalise on the unrest by presenting itself as a force for law and order and urging voters to channel their anger into support for her presidential bid.The replacement platform has yet to be designed, and possible legal changes remain unresolved, leaving key questions unanswered as the government tries to persuade students to end the protests.

More places, grants and school funding

The government also promised to create 15,000 additional places in higher education during 2027 and 2028, mainly in vocational and technical programmes. Student grants would be increased in line with inflation from the beginning of the 2027 academic year.To improve learning conditions, the government pledged to cap some first-year high school classes at 28 students from 2027, beginning with more disadvantaged schools. It also promised to reverse planned cuts to secondary-school teaching positions and create 500 additional jobs.The building plans extend beyond Macron’s presidency. The government proposed up to 4 billion euros ($4.5 billion) in low-interest loans to regional authorities for school renovations through 2030. A separate state plan worth 1 billion euros ($1.1 billion) would fund university renovations through 2029, according to the AP.The measures come as France faces record poverty and public debt, while demands for better-resourced schools have placed particular emphasis on disadvantaged communities.Earlier on Monday, Macron promised “concrete measures” to address students’ demands during a visit to Marseille, the southern port city. “I have asked the government to address the legitimate demands at the root of this protest movement,” he said.Macron and his centrist government have faced criticism over their response to student grievances since high school blockades began in mid-September. The protests have also prompted scrutiny of police crowd-control weapons, which have been blamed for life-changing injuries to some teenagers.