Barbara Romagnan, a French teacher at the Franche-Comté Inspectorate, has urged education staff to support high school students in their current protests, emphasizing the need for listening, dialogue, and respect for the rights of young people. In an op-ed addressed to her colleagues, Romagnan highlights that the response to the student movement has been "firstly police-based," with more than 5,000 arrests beginning in early October, mostly involving minors. High school students have reported the use of tear gas, batons, and rubber bullets during these protests. Specific incidents include a 15-year-old boy in Lens who lost a hand and part of his forearm after a police grenade exploded, a 14-year-old in the Val d'Oise who suffered a fractured jaw from a grenade launcher, and another student in Tours who lost the use of his right eye. Romagnan argues that the presence and support of adults are crucial when young people mobilize, as their voices can otherwise be reduced to those of "unruly students" or "manipulated" individuals. She emphasizes that students do not become citizens on their 18th birthday but progressively through public speech, disagreement, collective organization, and responsibility. She criticizes the use of force and law enforcement in response to student protests, stating that such actions contradict the principles of forming citizens through democratic debate. Romagnan also points out the need to consider the rights of children as outlined in the International Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Education Code, which recognize the freedom of information and expression of students. She stresses that listening and dialogue are essential before any sanctions or use of force. She acknowledges that some students may be wrong in their actions but argues that their voices should still be heard and considered. Romagnan highlights the societal challenges faced by children in France, including nearly 3 million children living below the poverty threshold, 32,000 children homeless or staying in hotels in 2025, and alarming mental health statistics among adolescents. She also addresses the issue of sexual violence against children, noting that 160,000 children are victims each year, with perpetrators often being close family members. She criticizes the weak judicial response to such cases. Additionally, Romagnan points to the significant success gap between students from privileged and disadvantaged social backgrounds, as highlighted by the 2025 middle school exam results. She argues that students who denounce issues such as un-replaced absences, outdated facilities, overcrowded classes, and the injustice of orientation are not merely expressing opinions but are highlighting social inequalities. Romagnan calls on educators to support students without necessarily agreeing with their demands or methods, advocating for the creation of dialogue spaces and the reception of high school delegations by regional education authorities and ministries. She urges educators to refuse dehumanizing labels and to recognize students as children whose rights must be protected. She concludes by calling on her colleagues to not remain silent, to listen to students, to demand accountability when force is used, and to affirm that the right to express an opinion does not end at the door of high schools.