Stories
Why Students in France and Belgium are Protesting Despite Massive Education Budgets
- •Thousands of students are protesting on the streets in France and Belgium due to the deteriorating condition of the education system.
- •France spent a massive 199.2 billion euros or 21.6 lakh crore rupees on education in 2025, accounting for 6.7 percent of its GDP.
- •Protesting students and teachers are highlighting severe issues including teacher shortages, overcrowded classrooms, and dilapidated school facilities.
- •About 11 percent of secondary school teachers in France are not fully qualified, and classrooms average 26 students compared to the OECD average of 23.
- •More than 6,100 people have been arrested in the ongoing protests as demonstrations spread from Paris to other regions.
Key Questions Answered
Thousands of Gen-Z students and teachers have taken to the streets to protest against the dilapidated state of education, severe teacher shortages, overcrowded classrooms, crumbling building conditions, and a lack of basic facilities. Additionally, teachers joined the movement to protest against proposed wage freezes and government austerity measures.
France allocated 199.2 billion euros—roughly 21.6 lakh crore rupees or 6.7 percent of its GDP—to education in 2025. Despite this significant expenditure, secondary schools face severe teacher shortages, with roughly 11 percent of teachers lacking full qualifications, alongside oversized classrooms averaging 26 students and poor infrastructure.
The protests began on September 21 when students blocked a school in Créteil, a suburb of Paris, quickly spreading nationwide and causing hundreds of school closures. In response to violent clashes, arson, and public property damage, police deployed water cannons and arrested more than 6,100 people, the vast majority of whom are minors.
