France pledges 15,000 university places but delays overhaul until 2028

France’s education ministry announced Monday it will revise the Parcoursup university admissions platform in 2027 for greater transparency, including explanatory information with rejections and reasons on request, then replace the system entirely in 2028. Accompanying steps create 15,000 new higher-education places mainly in vocational and technical programs, add 500 secondary teaching jobs reversing earlier cuts, raise student grants with inflation from 2027, supply €4 billion in low-interest loans for school renovations and €1 billion for university upgrades until 2029, and cap some high-school classes at 28 students. Education minister Édouard Geffray told a news conference that none of the decisions are empty promises and all will be respected with specific time frames and figures. Student leaders met Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu then rejected the package as insufficient. Sabrine Kharbach of the Student Union told AFP the gains from mobilization remain crumbs; Louis Letoublon of Les Lycéens! said the first gain was the government’s fear. They called fresh protests for Oct. 31 and Nov. 5. The Oct. 17 day of mass protests had already turned to arson, looting and violence; further clashes occurred the next Saturday without a repeat of that lawlessness. President Emmanuel Macron traveled to Marseille the same Monday to meet shop owners, police officers and public officials.