Students across France have been protesting since September over conditions in secondary education, with demonstrations and blockades disrupting hundreds of high schools. They are complaining about shortages of teachers and other staff, deteriorating buildings, overcrowding, lengthy school days, and pressure surrounding the Parcoursup university admissions system. The protests have sometimes become violent, resulting in thousands of arrests and injuries among students, school staff and police. Authorities and protesters have also disputed police tactics and responsibility for disorder. Prime minister Sébastien Lecornu has acknowledged that students’ concerns should be heard, but insists that violence and illegal blockades cannot be accepted. The government is considering how to respond to the grievances, but has little room for manoeuvre due to a huge budget deficit. The unrest, which follows a long history of influential French student movements, comes as Emmanuel Macron approaches the end of his second term as president.