France caps first-year high school classes at 28 pupils

France has adopted a cap of 28 pupils per class in the first year of high school and the creation of 10,000 places in higher-technician programs, Education Minister Edouard Geffray said on Monday, 2 November.

The measures respond to student demands for school renovations, more teachers and more university places. Students also want an end to the higher-education admissions system Parcoursup, which they regard as socially unfair.

Further measures and continuing blockades

Geffray also included a transformation of Parcoursup among the adopted measures. He said other measures required in-depth work through the end of December.

The announcements have not ended the disruption. On Tuesday, 3 November, dozens of schools remained blockaded and several universities were disrupted, French media said, as cited by Al Jazeera.

Geffray warned that missed lessons during the blockades put some final-year pupils’ school year and exam preparation at risk.

Trade unions have called a nationwide strike for November 5 over wages, living costs and public services, with rail workers, teachers and private-sector employees planning to join demonstrations in support of schoolchildren’s demands.