France promises to replace its university admissions after riots and thousands of arrests
Officials said the overhaul will add more university places and school funding as student leaders kept up pressure for clearer admissions rules.
- On Monday, the French government pledged to replace its national online university admissions platform, Parcoursup, by 2028, seeking to quell student anger after weeks of mass protests over education and living costs.
- Recent nationwide demonstrations saw turnout estimates ranging from more than 400,000 to nearly 800,000 as students criticized the platform for unclear selection criteria, unequal opportunities, and barriers to preferred courses.
- Higher Education Minister Philippe Baptiste announced "substantial change" for 2027 during a news conference, shortly after Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu met with student representatives Monday to discuss their grievances.
- Though two student groups welcomed some concessions, they called for protests to continue; the government had deployed 3,000 additional substitute teachers to struggling high schools on October 8.
- These measures follow France's worst unrest in years on October 17, when demonstrations over school funding descended into rioting and looting, prompting President Emmanuel Macron to call for addressing legitimate demands.
339 Articles
339 Articles
Dozens of French schools, universities blockaded
Students blockaded dozens of high schools and universities across France on Tuesday to maintain pressure on the government over education reforms as trade unions prepared for a nationwide strike. After returning from a two-week autumn break, some students resumed their protest campaign Monday, calling on authorities to renovate dilapidated schools, reduce class sizes and create more university places. Authorities said on Tuesday that 48 out of F…
The protests of young people against maladministration in education in France continue even after the fall holidays: on Tuesday several universities remained closed, and students blocked 48 upper schools according to government statements.
The youth protests coordinated by the ultra-left seek to collapse the campuses of the neighboring country in the face of the passivity of the executive.
The Independent
The Independent (US)French students block school entrance with bins as protests enter third week
French student leaders have vowed to go on protesting despite government concessions on education
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