The French government has confirmed that the national education budget will not be reduced in 2027, according to Minister of National Education Édouard Geffray, who made the statement on September 18, 2026, during a visit to Nancy. The minister emphasized that the ministry's funding should "increase by at least 800 million euros" in the draft finance bill (PLF) for 2027. This increase had been previously announced by Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu at the end of August 2026, who noted that the ministry would be among those receiving budget increases, despite the government's overall need to cut 54 billion euros from the entire state budget. While the 800 million euro increase has been announced, it is not yet the final figure for national education in 2027, as the PLF must be reviewed and approved by Parliament. The vote on the entire finance bill is scheduled for November 17 in the National Assembly, though the timeline could be adjusted based on the progress of debates. The distribution of the 800 million euros among the ministry's various programs and policies may still change during the parliamentary process. This comes amid a broader context of demographic decline, with student numbers in France continuing to fall. According to the Ministry of National Education, the 2026 school year saw 161,000 fewer students compared to 2025, with declines in both primary and secondary education. The Direction of Evaluation, Prospective, and Performance (DEPP) also forecasts a reduction of 1,676,800 students between 2025 and 2035 in both public and private schools under contract, based on its reference scenario. The additional funding is intended to cover the expenses of the national education system in 2027, though the government has not yet specified exactly how the 800 million euros will be distributed among the ministry's various programs and policies. The finance bill will outline how resources are allocated to staff, schools, and different educational initiatives. The new budget is also expected to support the ongoing reform of initial teacher training. However, the distribution of funds and the final amount approved may still be subject to change during the parliamentary review of the bill. As the 2027 budget is finalized, the government has set a minimum increase of 800 million euros for national education, but the precise allocation and the final approved amount remain uncertain. The final budget will be determined after the parliamentary process is complete.