French students urged to barricade schools: victory will bring return to calm, organisers say
Students reject government offer
The Union Syndicale Lycéenne, a leading secondary school union, dismissed the government’s proposals as insufficient. On Monday, it directly addressed the prime minister on social media with a demand for €10bn.
Disruptions and injuries
The dispute follows more than five weeks of school blockades. During a mobilisation organisers called a historic “Black Day,” the education ministry reported that 1,800 secondary schools were barricaded, disrupted or closed, affecting up to 90 per cent of universities.
Demands and planned action
Students are seeking a €200 monthly increase in maintenance grants and universal access to €1 canteen meals. They also want the complete withdrawal of legislation targeting school blockades. Organisers have called for more protests over the weekend before joining a major public-sector strike called by national trade unions. The USL says it will support local blockades until the government meets its demands, declaring, “Only victory will bring a return to calm.”
Key points
- The USL says the government’s proposals fall short and is demanding €10bn.
- The government has offered €5bn for repairs and 15,000 technical higher education places.
- A 15-year-old was seriously injured after picking up a police dispersal grenade.
- Organisers plan weekend protests and support for local blockades.