Story perspectives

France Proposes €4B Loans, Caps Classes at 28

By Drooid · Oct 27, 2026, 10:25 AM UTC · How we work

Center

Student protests continue

On 26 October 2026, the French government presented an education proposal package to student leaders in Paris, outlining new reforms.
Education Minister Édouard Geffray announced €4 billion in loans to regions for high-school renovation and repairs.
The plan caps high-school class sizes at a maximum of 28 pupils.
Student unions Les Lycéens! and UNEF said they will keep demonstrating on 31 October and 5 November despite the announced package.

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Education budget slashed

On 26 October 2026, the French government presented a package of education proposals to student leaders in Paris.
Students condemned the plan as half-measures that ignore overcrowded classrooms, dilapidated facilities and ongoing funding cuts.
Union leader Pierre Sourzat urged protests on 31 October and 5 November, calling the class-size cap insufficient.
Analysts reported a 20 % per-student education budget drop since 2017 amid a 5.4 % GDP deficit.

History

Historical Context

In April 2005 President Jacques Chirac enacted the Fillon law—officially the Loi d'orientation et de programme pour l'avenir de l'école—while Education Minister François Fillon oversaw its passage. The reform sparked nationwide protests, with about 300,000 students striking on 5 February. Today, Minister Édouard Geffray’s €4 billion loan plan and class-size cap echo those earlier mobilizations.

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Student protests continue

On 26 October 2026, the French government presented an education proposal package to student leaders in Paris, outlining new reforms.
Education Minister Édouard Geffray announced €4 billion in loans to regions for high-school renovation and repairs.
The plan caps high-school class sizes at a maximum of 28 pupils.
Student unions Les Lycéens! and UNEF said they will keep demonstrating on 31 October and 5 November despite the announced package.

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