Government to address student demands

The French government plans to meet with representatives from the education sector, including regional authorities and high school students, to outline its initial responses to the youth movement's demands. The minister of National Education, Edouard Geffray, stated that the meeting will focus on issues such as student numbers, overcrowded classes, and the management of higher education applications through the Parcoursup system.

University closures and online learning

High school students are currently on vacation, and many universities have closed due to student protests. Some institutions, like the University of Nanterre and Saint-Denis, have shut down completely, while others offer online classes or limited materials. University presidents have the authority to decide whether to close, primarily to protect students and staff from potential risks.

Discrepancies in closure decisions

In Marseille, the decision to close campuses is made by deans and department directors before being approved by the university president. However, there is inconsistency in how these decisions are handled, according to Caroline Mauriat, a member of the Snesup-FSU union. She noted that some campuses remain open without classes, while others are fully closed, creating confusion among students and staff.

Continued academic efforts amid disruptions

Despite the disruptions, students in preparatory classes for elite schools continue their revision for upcoming exams. Observations by Le Figaro Étudiant show that students are still studying in front of major Parisian preparatory schools. Similarly, many engineering and business schools have experienced only minor interruptions, with blockades at institutions like Polytechnique and CentraleSupélec failing to escalate the situation.