The French government announced a series of measures on Monday aimed at addressing widespread student protests and broader social unrest linked to education and living costs. Higher Education Minister Philippe Baptiste said the national online university admissions platform would be significantly overhauled next year, with a full replacement planned by 2028. The move comes after weeks of demonstrations, some turning violent, that have drawn attention to long-standing grievances in the education system.

In addition to revamping the admissions platform, the government pledged up to 4 billion euros ($4.5 billion) in loans dedicated to renovating schools. Officials also committed to reducing class sizes, hiring more teachers and higher education staff, and increasing student grants. These steps specifically target the demands that initially sparked the student protests.

However, the unrest has expanded beyond the education sector, with broader worker-led protests seeking relief from escalating living costs. This has presented the government with a more complex challenge than simply resolving issues related to university admissions.

The latest announcements follow the most severe unrest in France in recent years, marked by rioting and looting on October 17. That day’s protests, which started over school funding and cost-of-living concerns, escalated nationwide, highlighting growing dissatisfaction within multiple segments of French society.

Officials hope that the combination of structural reforms in education and financial support measures will help ease tensions. Yet, with demands widening, further negotiations and responses may be required to address the underlying economic pressures fueling the demonstrations.