Paris, October 10, 2026 — Protests by school and university students in France have intensified over inadequate educational resources, teacher shortages and deteriorating buildings. Thousands of young people have been arrested or taken into police custody following demonstrations, school closures and police operations in a number of cities.
According to figures released by France's Ministry of Justice on October 9, approximately 6,900 people had been arrested or detained since the movement began through October 8. The French newspaper Le Monde reported 6,877 detentions, with around 86% of those detained being minors. This is a cumulative figure covering several weeks, not arrests on a single day.
Spain's EFE news agency reported that judicial proceedings had begun against approximately 2,376 people, 1,547 had been brought before a judge and 21 had been ordered held in custody pending trial. Being arrested or held in police custody must not be equated with a criminal conviction.
The protests began in late September among secondary school pupils. Demonstrators say shortages of teaching staff, overcrowded classrooms, damaged school buildings, insufficient learning resources and unequal educational opportunities have disrupted their studies. They say the problems are especially acute in poorer French suburbs.
Large numbers of people participated in joint demonstrations by students, teachers and labour organisations on October 6. Protests remained peaceful in many cities, but there were also reports of vandalism, fires, objects thrown at police and clashes in some locations. Police used tear gas, batons and other crowd-control equipment at various sites.
Demonstrators and human rights organisations have accused the police of using disproportionate force. According to an October 10 Reuters report, the internal police oversight agency IGPN is investigating 24 incidents, including cases in which underage students were seriously injured. Authorities temporarily suspended use of certain stun grenades during the protests after a 15-year-old student lost his hand in the city of Lens.
Government and police representatives say some protest activity involved violence and property damage, which also injured officers and school staff. The government says it recognises students' concerns and is considering practical measures to improve education.
Education Minister Edouard Geffray has discussed providing around 3,000 substitute teachers to the worst-affected schools, while Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has promised a further plan by the end of October. Student organisations say those measures are insufficient and continue to call for larger education budgets, improved facilities and more permanent teaching staff.
The protests have prompted a broader debate in France about educational provision, civil liberties and police powers during demonstrations. Critics question the high number of detentions and treatment of minors, while authorities emphasise their responsibility to maintain order and prevent violence. The outcome of the protests and investigations into complaints against police remains to be seen.