Macron to meet student groups: Where are France’s protests heading?

French President Emmanuel Macron will meet high school student representatives on Friday for the first time, as the country braces for further protests over education funding and teacher shortages.

The meeting marks the first time Macron has held direct talks with the student groups driving a protest movement that began in mid-September. Students have vowed to keep up the pressure with more demonstrations.

Since mid-September, high school students across France have been protesting against teacher shortages and overcrowded classrooms. Their demands include better-funded schools, more teachers, and an overhaul of Parcoursup, the university admissions system. Some student organisations and unions are calling for an additional 10 billion euros ($11.2bn) for education.

“For years, we've been given promises that were never kept,” said Soumaya Sarre, an 18-year-old student. Nathanael Combary, 18, president of a student organisation, said: “Let's be clear: Our demands are not all impossible to meet,” adding that his “primary goal is to provide very concrete solutions.”

The government has so far announced 3,000 additional substitute teachers and an online consultation, but Higher Education Minister Philippe Baptiste has ruled out abolishing Parcoursup.

The protests come at a tense moment for France. Last weekend, largely peaceful demonstrations gave way to violent riots. A curfew in Paris will limit movement, while protest bans are in place in Marseille and Lyon. Macron governs with a minority in parliament, and public debt is projected to reach 121.7 percent of GDP in 2027, constraining the government's room for concessions.