The past two weeks brought large student mobilisations, important victories for student representation and renewed pressure on governments to fund education fairly. They also produced consequential proposals affecting international students and new global evidence on persistent inequalities in access to education.
The last two weeks in brief
- France promised 3,000 additional educators after nationwide demonstrations, but the student-led movement subsequently broadened into wider unrest.
- Student protests over education costs, university conditions, employment and corruption spread across Albania.
- Argentina’s fifth Federal University March demanded implementation of the country’s University Financing Law.
- Aligarh Muslim University agreed to hold its first student-union election in eight years.
- Charges were dismissed against 13 Rhodes University students arrested during protests over fees and historical debt.
- Cornell University students demanded institutional accountability and stronger action against sexual violence.
- The US government proposed fees of up to US$100,000 for universities recommending international students for practical work experience.
- UNESCO reported progress towards gender parity while documenting severe continuing inequalities affecting girls, refugees and students in sub-Saharan Africa.
Key developments
France: education protests secure concessions before wider unrest
More than 250,000 people demonstrated across France on 6 October in support of high-school students demanding adequate staffing, safe buildings and greater public investment. The government subsequently promised to deploy approximately 3,000 qualified educators to schools with urgent vacancies—described by student unions as their first significant victory.
Mobilisation continued during the following week, drawing university students, teachers and wider social movements. By 17 October, the protests had broadened into demonstrations over inequality, public services and living costs. Serious violence, looting and clashes occurred alongside peaceful marches, resulting in mass arrests, injuries and the death of a protester. Read about the education commitment and the subsequent escalation.
Our take: Student demands for functioning schools must not be lost as the movement broadens. The promised educators should reach the most underserved communities quickly, while allegations of disproportionate force and the treatment of arrested minors require independent scrutiny. Violence by some participants cannot justify collective restrictions on peaceful student organising.
Albania: student-led demonstrations spread nationally
Student-led protests began in Tirana on 13 October over university conditions, education costs, inadequate financial support, graduate unemployment and corruption. They subsequently spread to other cities and broadened into demands for Prime Minister Edi Rama’s resignation.
Some participants attacked public buildings and police, while officers used tear gas and water cannons. By 18 October, more than 380 people reportedly faced criminal charges related to six days of unrest. The European Union supported the right to peaceful protest while urging restraint. Read the initial report and the latest update.
Our take: Authorities must distinguish peaceful demonstrators from those responsible for violence and assess every arrest individually. Dialogue must address the students’ substantive concerns, not treat them merely as a public-order problem. Independent student representatives should be included in any negotiations on education reform.
Argentina: public universities mobilise over unimplemented funding law
Students, university staff, trade unions and institutional leaders participated in Argentina’s fifth Federal University March on 15 October. Organisers demanded full implementation of the University Financing Law, restoration of university salaries and revisions to the government’s proposed 2027 budget.
Large demonstrations took place across the country, including in Buenos Aires and Córdoba. The principal marches were peaceful, but clashes later occurred in Buenos Aires after masked individuals caused disturbances; police used tear gas and water cannons, and 31 people were detained. Read the university movement’s demands and the report from Buenos Aires.
Our take: A law approved by the legislature must be implemented transparently. Prolonged uncertainty undermines teaching, research, student services and the ability of lower-income students to remain enrolled. Students and their elected organisations must have a formal role in monitoring implementation and the 2027 budget.
India: AMU restores student-union elections
Aligarh Muslim University agreed to hold student-union elections on 5 November, ending an eight-year period without elected university-wide representation. The decision followed nearly 20 days of protest and a student hunger strike.
The university also appointed election officers for the main students’ union and the undergraduate union at Women’s College. Candidate nominations will open on 29 October. Read the report.
Our take: Students should not have to risk their health to secure democratic representation. The election must now be conducted freely, with equal participation, transparent procedures and protection against retaliation. Elected representatives must also receive sufficient independence to scrutinise university decisions.
United States: proposed work fees threaten international students
The US Department of Homeland Security proposed that universities pay US$70,000 when recommending an international student for an initial period of Optional Practical Training, work related to their field of study, and US$30,000 for a subsequent authorisation or extension.
The proposal has not been adopted. International students currently pay application fees of approximately US$500, while universities do not pay for recommendations. Public consultation remains open, and higher-education organisations have warned that institutions could pass the costs to students or stop supporting work applications altogether. Read the proposal overview.
Our take: A fee of this scale would make essential work experience dependent on wealth or institutional resources. International students must have a voice in the consultation, and universities should publish how the proposal would affect current students before making admissions or programme decisions.
UNESCO: expansion has not delivered equal access
UNESCO’s 2026 Gender Report found that global enrolment has reached gender parity from pre-primary through upper-secondary education. Yet six million pregnant and parenting girls aged 10–19 were out of school in sub-Saharan Africa in 2024, and fewer than 5% returned.
UNESCO’s Higher Education Global Trends Report separately shows that worldwide enrolment reached 269 million in 2024. Participation ranged from approximately 80% of the relevant age group in Western Europe and North America to only 9% in sub-Saharan Africa. Refugee enrolment increased to 9% in 2025 but remained far below the global rate. Read the gender findings and the higher-education data.
Our take: Expanded enrolment is not enough when poverty, location, displacement, pregnancy and institutional costs still determine who completes an education. Equity policies must be designed with affected students and backed by practical support, including childcare, recognition of refugee qualifications and sustainable public financing.
This week: 19–25 October
- 20 October — UNESCO webinar on open educational resources and AI: The session will examine how open licensing and shared knowledge should operate when educational material is created or reused through artificial intelligence. See UNESCO’s calendar.
- 21 October — UNESCO meeting on measuring foundational learning: Education specialists will review methods for measuring whether children achieve minimum proficiency in reading and mathematics. The resulting approaches influence global SDG 4 reporting and national accountability. See the event listing.
- 23 October — UNESCO’s Global Convention enters into force for Ireland: The convention establishes principles for fair and transparent recognition of higher-education qualifications, including for mobile and displaced students. Read UNESCO’s announcement.
- 24 October — Global Media and Information Literacy Week begins: UNESCO’s 2026 observance will focus on shared responsibility for media literacy, critical thinking, digital citizenship and responsible information use. See the programme.
What we are watching
- The legal status and treatment of arrested protesters in France and Albania.
- Whether Argentina implements its University Financing Law.
- Preparations for a free and credible student-union election at AMU.
- Opposition to the proposed US international-student work fees.
Are important developments affecting students taking place in your country? Students, student organisations and education communities are invited to send them to the Global Student Forum for possible inclusion in a future edition of World Student News.
