Canteen overcrowding, overcrowded classrooms, equipment that needs replacing: student anger is spreading to nine schools in the North
On Monday, September 28, 2026, blockades affected nine schools in northern France, amid demands for increased educational resources. Fires and projectiles were also reported; the prefecture indicated that seven people were taken into custody. For families, the immediate priority is to verify their school’s instructions rather than assuming from online images that classes are canceled everywhere.
Nine establishments affected in the North
According to France 3 Hauts-de-France, students mobilized, notably at the Beaupré high school in Haubourdin and the Baggio high school in Lille. The list provided includes eight high schools and the Boris-Vian middle school in Lille. The reported demands concern, among other things, the cost of school lunches, class sizes, and the equipment available in certain academic programs.
The movement is a continuation of mobilizations in the Île-de-France region. However, the testimonies gathered in one school do not necessarily describe the situation in all high schools or that of every student.
Custody: what it means — and doesn’t mean
The Nord prefecture told France 3 that seven people had been taken into custody following the blockades. They are accused of arson and throwing projectiles, according to the report. Being taken into custody is not a conviction: the facts remain to be established, and those involved are presumed innocent.
The report also mentions burning trash cans and bicycles, and reports, attributing them to witnesses, the use of tear gas and rubber bullets. These elements alone do not allow for a precise understanding of the circumstances of each intervention.
For families, check the practical information
The article does not specify whether classes, school meals, or transportation have been suspended at each school. Before traveling, parents can therefore check messages on the school’s online platform or email system and contact the school office if their child’s situation remains uncertain. The Ministry of National Education designates the student life coordinator (CPE), the homeroom teacher, and the school administration as key contacts for families at the high school level.
If an access point appears blocked or the situation around it seems tense, it’s best to ask the school directly for instructions rather than going there to observe or film. Videos shared on social media may show real scenes without providing information about the state of the courtyards or the access conditions at the time a family arrives.
Listen to the demands without downplaying the risks
The students quoted in the report mention difficulties with equipment, overcrowded classrooms, and concerns about their learning conditions. Parents can discuss these issues with their teenagers and, if they wish to raise a specific academic difficulty, request a meeting with representatives from the school. This helps to distinguish the problems their child is experiencing from political stances or acts of violence reported in connection with the blockades.
New actions were announced for the morning of September 29th in the North, according to the article. Affected families should follow the information provided by their high school, which remains the primary source for organizing the day’s events.
Main source: France 3 Regions – Family (france3-regions.franceinfo.fr)
Original article: See the original source
Author: Léa Houël
Official sources
