Lecornu guarantees: Police “have no instructions to confront students”

Na statement at the head office of the government, on the eve of the new call for demonstrations of the educational sector, Lecornu said that “the youth revolt does not arise from nothing” and that “no one can be indifferent to their concerns”, expressed through blocks of schools and demonstrations in recent days to demand better conditions in public education – not only in secondary schools but in universities.

The head of the government also undertook to present “the first decisions of the government [to respond to students’ demands] at the end of October”.

“ They were children or were entering adolescence during the pandemic [de covid-19]; we asked them to make a considerable effort and since then they have seen wars, climate change and sometimes their loved ones in difficulty,” Lecornu said, asking them to “choose their course and look to the future with confidence.”.

The consultation platform launched on Monday by the Minister of Education to collect improvement proposals has already recorded more than 40,000 contributions, pointing out that this number reflects “an expectation”, especially with regard to the organization of school hours and material conditions in secondary schools.

As I said, the contributions of secondary school students should “translate into proposals and amendments” for when the education budget is examined in the National Assembly, which is “expected for November 12”.

He reiterated that the French State Budget project for 2027 plans to increase national funding for education to EUR 64 billion, “which represents an increase of EUR 1.2 billion in one year”.

The Prime Minister also announced the launch of “five projects” focused on replacing absent teachers, the material conditions of schools, the organization of school hours and the transparency of the university access system (Parcoursup).

As for the controversy over the action of security forces in the repression of riots in secondary schools — which made dozens of wounded, both among the agents and among the protesters —, Lecornu also said that they “were not instructed to face the students”.

The governor defended the actions of the police and the republican guard before the mobilization of secondary school students.

“ Contrary to what some say and repeat, the officers of the authority have not been instructed to confront secondary students,” Lecornu said, simultaneously expressing their “support”.

“ Your mission is to protect property, but above all people, to enforce the law and ensure access to schools. They must act proportionally to achieve it, often in a very difficult context”, he added.

The head of the French executive made no reference to the decision announced today by his government to suspend the use of scatter grenades and stunning during police operations against school access blockages, while investigating the case of a 15-year-old student who suffered the amputation of a hand in Lens, north of the country, this week.