French Students Return to the Streets Despite Government Efforts to Ease Crisis

French students returned to demonstrations and school blockades as protests over conditions in the country’s lycées continued into October. Students have cited teacher shortages, crowded classes, deteriorating buildings, long school days and stress over university applications. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has said students’ concerns must be heard, while condemning violence around schools. The government has announced measures aimed at easing the crisis, but the protests have persisted. The mobilization began in mid-September near Paris and spread to other parts of France, with clashes and arrests reported