Why has France struggled to address students’ demands?

What the report says

Young people in France have continued nationwide protests over education conditions, public spending and the cost of living, with demonstrations reported in late October 2026. Al Jazeera said the protests began in mid-September after high school students blocked campuses over overcrowded classes, missing teachers and poor school infrastructure. Teachers later joined in, and the unrest broadened to include unions and civil servants.

The article says the core grievance is that students and educators see public services weakening while the government prepares budget cuts. Protesters want more investment in schools, social services and living standards, while critics say planned savings measures would deepen pressure on already strained institutions. The French government has responded with police deployments, curfews in some areas and warnings against violence. President Emmanuel Macron met student representatives for the first time on Friday, but the talks did not end the protests.

Al Jazeera attributed the government’s difficulty to a severe fiscal squeeze, including high debt, a large deficit and proposed spending restraint. The article also noted that education and student support budgets have fallen in real terms since 2017, according to cited economists. Beyond the immediate protests, the dispute reflects a longer-running argument in France over wealth distribution, public services and who should bear the burden of budget tightening.