Students Hold Nationwide 'Acte V' Protests as Government Deploys 3,000 Replacement Teachers

Overview

• The nationwide 'Acte V' took place on Tuesday with large marches in Paris from Place d'Italie to the Invalides and coordinated demonstrations and blockades in cities including Marseille, Lyon and Nantes.
• The Education Ministry reported roughly 200 lycées closed for the day while student groups say about 90% of universities were blocked or shut in what organisers called a broad student and university mobilisation.
• In response the government began emergency measures including the rapid deployment of 3,000 replacement teachers to the most affected schools and plans to table budget amendments for 2027.
• The movement has produced clashes, attempts to break blockades and property attacks in some places plus a separate school shooting in Aubagne on October 12 that is under active investigation with the shooter's father held in custody.
• More than 6,800 arrests and dozens of injured education staff have been reported since mid‑September and organisers aim to link the school protests with a larger cost‑of‑living mobilisation planned for October 17, raising political stakes before the 2027 campaign.