French Students Demand Structural Change: 'Not a Problem of Short-Term Solutions'

In an interview with FRANCE 24, Gökçe Tuncel, a sociologist and post-doctoral researcher at Université Paris-Est Créteil and EHESS, discusses the student protests that began over missing teachers and inadequate resources at a high school in Créteil and have since evolved into a wider mobilization against structural inequalities in France's public education system. Tuncel argues that the protests are not merely about short-term fixes but reflect deep-seated issues that require systemic reform. She highlights the cumulative effects of years of underfunding and controversial policies that have exacerbated disparities between schools and regions. The interview sheds light on the demands of students and educators, who are calling for increased investment, better working conditions, and a more equitable education system. Tuncel also addresses the government's response and the potential for meaningful change.