‘We just want to be listened to’: student protests shut schools across France

France’s student protests grow as hundreds of schools close

Al Jazeera’s Bernard Smith reports from France on the growing student protests across the country.

Oct 6, 2026

France to shutter up to 500 schools as more student protests called

Education minister cites safety concerns for closures as organisers call for resumption of protests.

Oct 4, 2026

‘We just want to be listened to’: student protests shut schools across France

Lack of investment, overcrowded classrooms, crumbling buildings and poor teacher pay among reasons for protests by school students Europe live – latest updates As dozens of school pupils sat on top of a pile of wheelie bins blocking a high school entrance in north-eastern Paris, Sophia, 17, was on the frontline of the barricade, when she would normally have been attending Spanish class. “We hope this grows into a massive youth protest movement,” said the final year baccalaureate student at Paris

Oct 2, 2026

France closes up to 500 schools Monday over student protests

Lessons will be "totally or partly suspended" in some high schools after clashes between riot police and student protesters, France's education minister says.

Oct 5, 2026