The protests within the national education system continue despite ongoing discussions with the government. This Tuesday, November 10th, several teachers', high school students', and university student organizations are calling for another day of strikes and demonstrations across France. The movement comes the day after a meeting dedicated to the Parcoursup reform, which turned into a political confrontation at Matignon. Many of the union representatives present left the room after discovering the participation of members of parliament from the National Rally and the UDR, as well as representatives of employers' organizations. The La France Insoumise MP Louis Boyard followed suit. Sébastien Lecornu refused to comment on the committee's composition, reiterating that the government had invited all parliamentary groups.
In Paris, the main demonstration is scheduled to begin at 14 p.m. at the Panthéon and proceed to Place d'Italie. The police prefecture imposed this route after rejecting several proposed itineraries from the organizers, particularly those that would have crossed areas deemed sensitive. Authorities have also authorized a static gathering on Boulevard de l'Hôpital, near the Saint-Marcel metro station, while prohibiting demonstrations in several other parts of the capital. In other parts of France, rallies are planned in numerous cities, notably Rennes, where teachers' unions are calling for a demonstration at 13 p.m. in front of the train station before marching to the departmental offices of the Ministry of National Education.
In Rennes, university buildings were evacuated by the police.
Tensions were already running high Monday evening on the Rennes -II campus. At the request of the university administration, police intervened to clear several buildings occupied by protesters. According to Le Parisien, approximately 300 students were still present on campus around 21 p.m. A large glass door of one building was reportedly broken during the incidents. This latest development comes after several weeks of blockades, as unions denounce a lack of resources in higher education and the difficulties faced by high school students in accessing their chosen programs.
For the government, Tuesday represents another test of its ability to re-establish dialogue with the mobilized organizations. The Minister of National Education, Édouard Geffray, announced several proposals to simplify the Parcoursup university admissions platform, but the unions believe the responses remain insufficient. The departure of some representatives from the Prime Minister's office further complicates discussions. The inter-union group is now calling for an increase in mobilization, while other deadlines are already being discussed for November 17th.
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