Wednesday, October 7, 2026 - More than 250,000 students, teachers and parents took to the streets across France on October 6 as anger over underfunded schools, teacher shortages and deteriorating facilities reached a new level.
The Interior Ministry put the turnout at more than 266,000 nationwide, including about 56,000 in Paris, making it the biggest day of demonstrations since the movement began.
The protests were not peaceful everywhere. Riot police used tear gas, water cannons and batons during clashes in Paris and other cities, while authorities reported 488 arrests and more than 700 police officers injured.
Protesters are demanding faster action on staffing, classroom conditions and school infrastructure, while the government says it is prepared to address the concerns and investigate allegations of excessive police force.
The pressure on France's government is now growing rapidly. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has ordered ministers to work on measures addressing teacher shortages, long school hours and repairs, but activists say demonstrations will continue until they see concrete results.
With schools still being blockaded and public anger expanding beyond students, education reform has become an urgent national issue that the government can no longer afford to postpone.
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