France’s students are angry about more than crumbling classrooms and missing teachers

Beneath a wave of school protests in France lies a more existential worry: the future prospects of an entire generation • Don’t get This Is Europe delivered to your inbox? Sign up here Say what you will about France’s high schools, they still produce world-class slogan writers. H

Beneath a wave of school protests in France lies a more existential worry: the future prospects of an entire generation • Don’t get This Is Europe delivered to your inbox? Sign up here Say what you will about France’s high schools, they still produce world-class slogan writers. Here’s a brief selection spotted during three weeks of blockades and marches over chronic teacher shortages, overcrowded classes and crumbling buildings: “ Pas d’avenir, pas de calme ” (No future, no calm).

“ Diplômés aujourd’hui, précaires demain ” (Graduates today, insecure tomorrow). “ Vous détruisez notre futur, on bloque votre présent ” (You destroy our future, we block your present). Continue reading...