France’s government has called for “systematic” referrals to the justice system over unlawful acts near high schools. The 12 November announcement shifts the official response to student mobilisation further toward law enforcement, yet it does not immediately end disruption to teaching: Education Minister Édouard Geffray said that 24 high schools were blocked nationwide that day, while several moved to remote learning for security reasons.
The practical change announced by the government is an emphasis on judicial handling of unlawful conduct around schools. That is a more forceful national posture than simply managing blockades locally, and it responds to a situation the government says has caused injuries among students and staff.
But the material available does not set out the operating rules for these “systematic” referrals. It does not specify which conduct will trigger them, which authority will initiate a case, or when such an arrangement would take effect. The announcement should therefore be understood as a declared policy direction, rather than a fully described nationwide enforcement system.
The same day’s school disruptions underline the gap between that direction and the immediate classroom reality. Geffray said 24 high schools were blocked across France, according to BFMTV. The outlet also reported that several establishments had switched to remote teaching for safety reasons. For pupils and staff, the immediate issue remains interrupted access to on-site education.
Libération reports that authorities have counted 609 injuries since the student mobilisation began, including 364 students and 245 staff members. That official tally gives weight to the case for action against violence. Yet justice referrals alone cannot restore ordinary teaching unless their scope is made clear and schools can operate safely.
The new development is the government’s national justice-focused response. The blocked schools show that its effect on the school day has yet to be felt.
Sources
- Libération Actualités · Source date: 2026-11-12
- BFMTV Actualités · Source date: 2026-11-12
Independent editorial content. WUA is not affiliated with any political party. 2026-11-12