French Students Blockade High Schools Over Education Reforms
French high school students are blockading nearly 200 schools to demand 10 billion euros in investment and reforms to the Parcoursup admissions platform.
Nearly 200 high schools across France remained closed Wednesday as students continued blockades following a fifth round of nationwide protests. The demonstrators are demanding 10 billion euros in investment and systemic reforms to Parcoursup, the national university admissions platform.
Education Minister Edouard Geffray stated that 96% of high schools remain open and ruled out immediate changes to the baccalaureate examination, citing the proximity of a presidential election. Meanwhile, Higher Education Minister Philippe Baptiste is expected to submit proposals to improve Parcoursup to the prime minister by the end of October.
Student representatives are scheduled to meet with Geffray and Baptiste on Thursday afternoon. While no sixth round of protests is planned for Thursday, the Union of High School Students has urged the maintenance of blockades and called for participation in a yellow vest demonstration this Saturday.
