High school mobilization and October 17th: Paul-Eluard High School closed after a tense day of mobilization...

French authorities anticipate a large-scale demonstration on Saturday, October 17, with estimates ranging from 70,000 to 140,000 participants nationwide. The movement, primarily driven by high school students protesting underfunded education and the college admissions system known as Parcoursup, has already affected over 400 schools and caused more than 15 days of lost classes. No clear guidance has been issued by the Ministry of Education on how to recover these lost hours. The Interior Minister, Laurent Nuñez, convened a video conference with prefects at 11 a.m. to prepare for the demonstrations. He confirmed that approximately 250 marches and 80 processions would be authorized, along with around 40 additional declared protests. These include spontaneous gatherings, public demonstrations, and roadblocks. Estimates from intelligence services suggest between 60,000 and 110,000 protesters outside Paris, while other reports indicate between 50,000 and 100,000 demonstrators excluding Paris. The French Press Agency (AFP) cited figures between 70,000 and 140,000 people expected in the streets. The Coordination rurale, one of the major agricultural unions, will not participate in the movement, according to its president, Bertrand Venteau. However, the Confédération paysanne, another agricultural union aligned with leftist politics, supports the student movement and plans to join several marches with tractors and farmers. The FNSEA, the largest agricultural union, announced that its members will not take part due to the busy harvest season. President Arnaud Rousseau explained that the current period involves harvesting maize, sowing cereals, and collecting beets, all critical activities for the sector. The Federation of Parents of Students (FCPE) called on parents to join the demonstrations to show solidarity with the students. In a statement released last Thursday, the organization criticized austerity policies that threaten public education quality. Meanwhile, the Paul-Eluard High School in Saint-Denis remained closed following a tense day of protest. The main entrance was partially damaged by fire, and only a few cardboard signs remain on the ground, including one reading “No future without culture.” Staff and students have been protesting for three weeks against poor educational conditions, including the arrest of a student within the school grounds. In Paris, several neighborhoods were restricted, and Jean-Luc Mélenchon demanded guarantees from the police regarding safety during the demonstrations.