French high school protests resume on first day back from break

French high school student protests resumed on a small scale Monday, the first day back from a two-week midterm break.

According to Reuters and Le Monde, entrances to some high schools in Paris, Marseille, Rennes and Lille were blocked by students that morning.

The protests began in September at a high school in the Paris suburbs, where students frustrated with poor educational conditions launched demonstrations that spread widely last month, forcing hundreds of schools to close.

Once the midterm break began, labor unions and Yellow Vest movement members joined the movement, along with others protesting a lack of public investment and high prices. Three consecutive large-scale weekend demonstrations were held — on Oct. 17, Oct. 24 and Saturday.

The government of Emmanuel Macron announced a package of measures Friday, including an overhaul of Parcoursup — the system that manages applications and admissions to universities and other higher education programs — along with funding for school renovations, an increase in teaching staff and a reduction in class sizes.

Student representatives, however, say the government's response falls short.

Louis Letoublelon, vice president of the student group Les Lycéens, said they would continue blockades because they had realized that some of the government's announcements were "hollow."

Letoublelon said the pledge to cap class sizes at 28 students lacks funding, that financing school renovations through loans is insufficient, and that the number of new spots being created in higher education institutions is far too small.

Letoublelon also said student groups take issue with the university admissions system itself, and that the intent behind reforming Parcoursup remains unclear.

According to Le Monde, the same sense of disappointment was evident Thursday at a general assembly of high school student representatives from about 30 cities, where voices called for "no return to normal after schools reopen."

Student groups are somewhat divided on protest strategy, however.

Les Lycéens called for school blockades on Monday, the first day back, while the Union Syndicale Lycéenne urged students to return to school first and begin blockades from Tuesday.

High school and university student groups have also pledged to join a union general strike rally on Thursday and are calling on people to take part.