Many high schools across France are currently experiencing a national student mobilization. Demands include a lack of resources, non-replacement of teachers, overcrowded classrooms, unsanitary conditions in some schools, and protest against austerity policies. Young people are also expressing concerns about their mental health and future orientation, particularly through Parcoursup, which is often a source of anxiety, as well as their future in the face of the climate crisis and current economic uncertainties.
These concerns, shared by parent associations and teacher unions, are deemed legitimate by the mayor of Cachan. She regrets the lack of concrete responses from the Government, which she believes prefers repression to dialogue. She therefore calls for a dialogue commensurate with the stakes to provide the public education system with the necessary resources for everyone's success.
The mayor strongly condemns the violence of a few individuals, while emphasizing that the majority of young people express their demands peacefully. She calls for calm and responsibility, stating that violence has no place. The safety of students, staff, and residents must be guaranteed, and legitimate demands must be heard.
In Cachan, serious incidents occurred at the high school, including a violent intrusion, significant vandalism, and mortar fire directed at the establishment, endangering those present. The mayor expresses her support for the injured civil servants, educational teams, and all staff facing this escalation of tensions.
These tensions have also affected neighboring schools, from kindergarten to middle school, forcing some children to remain confined for part of the day. The mayor acknowledges the concern among families and educational teams, expressing her solidarity. The City, in coordination with schools and law enforcement, has adapted school access and reinforced pedestrian route security, thanking the mobilized agents for their work.
The mayor plans to meet soon with young people, educational stakeholders, and parents to discuss their concerns, emphasizing the collective responsibility to restore calm and address needs so that youth can face their future with confidence.
