Engineering students block their schools

Students at several engineering schools on the Saclay plateau near Paris blocked their campuses on Tuesday in solidarity with high school students protesting for better conditions. This is the first time that CentraleSupélec, a prestigious engineering school, has been blocked by its own students.

Protest slogans and messages

At the protest, students displayed banners with slogans like "Indifference is a privilege" and "Fewer CRS, more CNRS." These messages highlight their concerns about police presence and the need for more investment in research. Students aim to support high schoolers facing poor school conditions, such as leaking roofs and flooding.

Students argue for shared responsibility

During the protest, students and teachers faced blocked entrances and a group of about thirty students gathered in the courtyard. One student used a megaphone to emphasize that the school belongs to its students. Others pointed out that many had benefited from the education system and now want to address social injustices in it.

Inequalities in education funding

Students at CentraleSupélec said they want to highlight the uneven distribution of resources between educational institutions. They pointed out that while some schools have modern facilities, others struggle with outdated infrastructure and poor conditions. This inequality is also visible in the Paris-Saclay university area, where some buildings are run-down.

Support from other student groups

Students from the University of Paris-Saclay in pharmacy and biology joined the protest, showing solidarity with engineering students. They emphasized that even in higher education, there are significant inequalities in resources and infrastructure. Some students have even started projects like a tutoring platform to help high school students in need.

Emerging student activism

The mobilization has sparked new interest in student activism. At Télécom Paris, students are excited about the rare scale of the protest and are discussing the possibility of forming unions. For many, this is the first time they are actively engaging in political action and defending their views in public.

Military school students remain silent

Some students from the École Polytechnique (X), a military school, came to support the protest but could not openly express their views. They are bound by the duty of reserve, a rule requiring them to remain neutral in political matters. Despite this, they still participated in the movement discreetly.

Demands for change and reform

Students and high schoolers have agreed on ten urgent measures, including renovations of school and university buildings, hiring more staff in education, and ending police repression. Doctoral students on the Saclay plateau have also joined the movement, emphasizing the need to address both high school and higher education issues.

Critique of government policies

Students argue that the lack of resources in education stems from a broader disinvestment in national education. They also highlight the influence of different ministries on engineering schools, which they see as an opportunity to bring high school students' voices to decision-makers. They reject the idea that being called "elites" means they support government policies that favor the private sector over public needs.