Demonstrations against deteriorating conditions in the French education system have spread to higher education institutions, with university students now joining secondary school blockades. At least 26 universities have been shut down as students demand increased funding, while unrest continues in cities like Lyon and Avignon where firefighters have been deployed to extinguish road fires and police have clashed with protesters.

Interior Minister Laurent Nunez reported more than 1,000 detentions over a 48 hour period, including 625 arrests on Wednesday and 440 on Tuesday, the majority of whom are minors. Education Minister Edouard Geffray stated 119 people were injured as protesters cited overcrowded classrooms, teacher shortages, and planned 2027 budget cuts as primary grievances. The unrest has also seen public sector workers, including firefighters and teachers, join nationwide strikes against the government.