Mass Student Protests Continue With Acte V Across France

Overview

• Tuesday's Acte V drew nationwide demonstrations called by student and lycéen groups, with police estimating between 130,000 and 200,000 people could take part.
• Protesters are demanding the suppression of Parcoursup and a €10 billion emergency plan to fix dilapidated buildings, hire staff and reduce overcrowded timetables.
• The government has begun deploying 3,000 substitute teachers to the worst-affected schools and plans budgetary amendments after a public consultation platform showed heavy concern over staffing and timetables.
• The unrest has caused heavy disruption: Île-de-France revised damage estimates to €8.5 million for more than 110 affected lycées, over 6,800 people—mostly minors—have been detained, and 24 IGPN inquiries into police conduct are open.
• Organisers aim to link the school protests with a broader cost-of-living action on Saturday 17 October, a move that could broaden participation and raise the political stakes ahead of the 2027 election.