The French government has announced a package of education reforms, including a major overhaul of the Parcoursup university admissions platform, following nationwide student protests over the education system and rising living costs.

Higher Education Minister Philippe Baptiste said Parcoursup, which is used by students to apply for universities and other higher education programmes, would undergo significant changes next year before being completely redesigned in 2028.

The government also announced plans to increase investment in education, expand university capacity, raise student financial support in line with inflation and improve conditions in schools.

Parcoursup system to be redesigned

The Parcoursup platform has been one of the main targets of student criticism, with many arguing that the system lacks transparency and creates inequalities in access to preferred university programmes.

Under the planned reforms, universities will be required to provide more detailed explanations of their admission criteria, while students will be able to request clearer reasons for rejection decisions.

The government said the new system aims to make university admissions more transparent and improve fairness for students applying to higher education.

New investment and additional university places

As part of the reform package, France will create 15,000 additional places in higher education during 2027 and 2028.

The government also announced that student scholarships will be increased according to inflation rates and that class sizes in some secondary schools will be limited to 28 students starting in 2027.

Measures also include cancelling planned cuts to teaching positions and recruiting 500 additional education staff.

France plans to provide up to €4 billion in low-interest loans by 2030 for school renovation projects, while universities will receive €1 billion in funding by 2029 for renewal and improvement projects.

Student protests continue

Despite the government's announcements, student representatives said only part of their demands had been addressed and called for continued demonstrations.

Student activist Clement Vieillot said the government's pledge to create 15,000 additional university places remained far below the 250,000 new places demanded by student groups.

The protests, initially focused on education spending and rising living costs, later expanded into a wider social movement.

During nationwide demonstrations on 17 October, incidents of violence were reported, including looting of shops, attacks on public buildings and clashes between police and protesters. Around 2,400 people were detained in connection with the unrest.

In demonstrations held the following weekend, authorities estimated that around 410,000 people participated, while organisers claimed the number was close to 800,000. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said 1,435 people were detained nationwide in connection with those protests.

Macron calls for concrete measures

French President Emmanuel Macron called on the government to take concrete steps addressing the demands behind the protests.

However, the decision to fully redesign the Parcoursup system in 2028 means that the reform process will extend beyond Macron's current presidential term.

The debate over equal access to education and increased resources for schools continues in France as the country faces broader economic challenges, including record levels of poverty and high public debt.(ILKHA)