High school and student organizations in France have called for a fifth day of nationwide protests, dubbed ‘Act V’, to take place this Tuesday. The call comes after fifteen days of continuous mobilization that began fifteen days ago. Student unions say they will march in Paris from Place d’Italie to Invalides to put pressure on the government of Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu.
The core demands remain unchanged: the abolition of the Parcoursup university admission platform and a ten‑billion‑euro investment plan for high schools. The Union syndicale des lycées reiterates that it still demands the suppression of Parcoursup and the ten‑billion‑euro plan for lycées. The Union étudiante echoes this stance, declaring in French that “Ils ne nous écoutent pas, on va les chercher,” which translates to “They are not listening to us, we will go get them.”
Officials say the movement is losing steam, pointing to Ministry of Education data that 96.5 percent of establishments were open on Monday, with only 130 schools closed. By contrast, 172 establishments were shut on Friday. The government also expressed concern over rising violence, noting that eight education staff members were injured on Monday. President Emmanuel Macron urged demonstrators to remain peaceful, stating in French that protests should be “dans le calme, dans l’ordre et dans le respect à la fois des personnes et des biens,” or “in calm, in order and in respect for both persons and property.”
The disparity reflects the difference between the official tally and the organizers' estimate.
Police sources anticipate between 130,000 and 200,000 demonstrators across the country on Tuesday. This range is lower than the figures recorded the previous Tuesday, when authorities counted 266,000 participants and organizers claimed 450,000. The disparity reflects the difference between the official tally and the organizers' estimate.
Student leaders are trying to connect their cause with wider discontent over living costs. Six education unions have announced a strike to join the student movement, aiming to align with anti‑high‑cost‑of‑living protests scheduled for October 17. Félix Nifaut, a student representative, emphasized the importance of this convergence, saying in French that “Le 17, c’est la réunion des causes, il ne va pas y avoir que nous, il y aura des mères et des pères de famille, des travailleurs qui vont nous rejoindre, donc c’est très important,” which means “The 17th is the convergence of causes; it will not be just us, there will be mothers and fathers of families, workers who will join us, so it is very important.”
On the day of Act V, the main procession in the capital will travel from Place d’Italie to Invalides. The route is intended to place demonstrators directly before the seat of government, pressing Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu’s administration to respond to the students’ demands. Live blog coverage has been tracking the preparations, noting that despite impending school holidays, the mobilization continues.
The Ministry of Education reported that eight education staff members suffered injuries on Monday, a detail the government cited when voicing concern over increasing violence.
The movement has now lasted fifteen days since its inception. The repeated references to the number of establishments open — 96.5 percent on Monday, 130 closed that day, and 172 closed on Friday — offer a snapshot of how school attendance has fluctuated over the recent wave of protests.
Beyond the Union étudiante’s call to action, the Union syndicale des lycées has been vocal in its support for the abolition of Parcoursup and the funding plan.
As the date of Act V approaches, the government maintains that participation is waning, yet student organizations insist their demands are non‑negotiable and that they will continue to press for change. The coming Tuesday will test whether the student‑led movement can sustain its momentum and successfully link with the broader cost‑of‑living demonstrations set for October 17.