In the working-class suburb of Seine-Saint-Denis, north of Paris, protests erupted this week as students voiced their frustrations over overcrowded classrooms, deteriorating school facilities, and frequent teacher absences. On Thursday, about 100 students gathered outside Rosa Parks High School, one of more than 1,000 schools across France experiencing unrest linked to conditions in the education system.
Students at Rosa Parks High carried banners declaring their intent to “teach” authorities by skipping lessons, while police officers monitored the crowd without intervening directly. The protests are part of a broader movement affecting schools nationwide, where recent demonstrations have led to 3,000 arrests and injuries to nearly 400 police officers and over 230 school staff and students.
Seine-Saint-Denis, a department with France’s highest per capita immigrant population, faces persistent socioeconomic challenges that intersect with education inequities. According to a 2023 parliamentary report, the poverty rate in the area is twice the national average and students there generally perform worse on national tests. The report also highlighted high teacher absenteeism and a disproportionate number of inexperienced educators.
Local teachers emphasize the chronic underfunding that fuels tensions. Moustapha Saouré, a law and economics teacher supporting the protests, said the educational system in the area is vulnerable to unrest due to lack of resources and growing dissatisfaction among youth.
The education ministry overseeing Rosa Parks did not respond to requests for comment on the students’ allegations. However, government officials announced plans to establish an online platform for students to express their concerns.
French authorities contend that the protests have evolved beyond legitimate grievances and now show signs of organized urban unrest. The Interior Ministry noted incidents of mortar-style fireworks, arson, and looting at some school blockades, describing the situation as “urban violence.” Officials have accused the far-left party France Unbowed of politicizing the movement ahead of the presidential election scheduled in eight months. The party’s leader, Jean-Luc Mélenchon, competes closely in polls with centrist Édouard Philippe, while far-right candidate Marine Le Pen leads.
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu called for calm and urged elected officials to refrain from exploiting student anger for political gain. In response, France Unbowed dismissed the government's accusations, emphasizing grassroots support for the protests.
Bally Bagayoko, a prominent France Unbowed figure and recently elected mayor of St.-Denis, was present at Rosa Parks during Thursday’s demonstration. Known for his statements acknowledging the occasional legitimacy of violence in protests, Bagayoko actively worked to maintain order at the scene, extinguishing a small fire and calming disputes among students.
In an interview, Bagayoko described the unrest as a spontaneous reaction to significant underinvestment in education resources. He emphasized his role as a parent prioritizing the safety of children and credited other adults present, including parents and teachers, for helping prevent further escalation.
The unfolding events in Seine-Saint-Denis underline the broader challenges facing France’s education system, particularly in marginalized communities, as the country approaches a pivotal national election.