France's education minister has offered 3,000 extra supply teachers in response to three weeks of student protests demanding greater resources for secondary schools, marking the government's first material concession to the movement.
Education Minister Edouard Geffray announced the commitment in a television interview Thursday evening, after thousands demonstrated across the country. The government said 6,877 people have been arrested since protests began, with 86 per cent under 18 years old. On Thursday alone, 71,000 people protested nationwide, including 24,000 at the Bastille in Paris. Police deployed tear gas to disperse groups who threw paving stones and homemade fireworks. Ransacking of a lycée occurred in Bordeaux, and a deputy head was beaten in Marseille.
Geffray said new software at the education ministry would direct the 3,000 substitute teachers to roughly 500 secondary schools identified as most in need, many in high-immigration suburbs where teacher shortages are acute. The government also promised more money under an existing scheme for teachers willing to work overtime and said students' grievances would inform discussions on the 2027 education budget.
However, the offer contained no major new investment, reflecting government concern about France's debt situation and international financial market scrutiny.
Student leaders expressed caution. Nathanaël Combary of Renouveau Lycéen, the most moderate of three main secondary school unions, said students wanted to see promises implemented in practice. Sabrine Kharbach of the Union Etudiante, aligned with far-left France Insoumise, stated: "As long as we do not have €10bn on the table, we will continue our action." Another protest day has been called for next Tuesday.
Jean-Luc Mélenchon, the France Insoumise presidential candidate, praised Thursday's demonstrations. Hard-right National Rally spokesman Laurent Jacobelli condemned the concessions, saying they legitimised violence.
The protests represent France's most serious student unrest in years, occurring amid broader tension over fuel prices and farming sector distress. A revived yellow vest movement has scheduled demonstrations for 17 October. Approaching April-May presidential elections, where the hard right and far left are expected to perform strongly, are intensifying confrontation.