Students across France returned to classrooms on Friday after several days of demonstrations demanding urgent reforms in education, but fresh protests are already being planned. The United Nations has expressed “concern” over the violence and clashes that erupted during the rallies.

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Since late September, tens of thousands of students have taken to the streets, blocking entrances to high schools and forcing riot police deployments. Their grievances include absent teachers, overloaded timetables, dilapidated classrooms, and buildings unable to cope with rising temperatures.

On Thursday, clashes between students and the French Republican Security Corps (CRS) highlighted the growing tension. The UN’s statement urged French authorities to ensure that students’ right to protest is respected while preventing excessive use of force.

Organizers say the movement will continue until the government addresses the systemic issues plaguing public education. With schools reopening, activists are preparing for renewed mobilization, signaling that the unrest is far from over.

The protests have already disrupted hundreds of schools nationwide, raising concerns about long‑term impacts on learning and stability. For France, the demonstrations mark one of the most significant youth‑led movements in recent years, with global attention now focused on how the government responds.