Education

News about schools, universities, educational policies, and learning

Student injured during education protests in Lens

◆8 sources

A 15-year-old student was seriously injured during education protests in Lens, France, after a projectile believed to have been fired by police exploded when he picked it up. Later reports said he lost a hand. The type of projectile was initially unclear; some reports identified it as a tear-gas or flash grenade. One report said he was hospitalised in Lille and was not in danger. Hundreds of French secondary schools remained closed for a second week because of security concerns amid continuing protests.

Education

Proposed all-day phone ban in schools

◆8 sources

The cabinet proposed that primary and secondary school pupils leave mobile phones at home or keep them stored away throughout the school day from 1 January 2027. The strengthened national guidance would extend existing classroom restrictions to breaks, common areas and school grounds.

Education

ACM findings on the secondary-school textbook market

◆8 sources

The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) concluded that the market for teaching materials in secondary education is not functioning properly. It said the dominant position of three major publishers contributes to high prices, schools have too little choice, and materials are often difficult to reuse. The ACM called on publishers to stop requiring schools to buy paper and digital materials together and to be clearer about the price and quality of their products. Publishers ThiemeMeulenhoff and Noordhoff said they will offer schools a choice of paper-only, digital-only or combined materials from the 2027/2028 school year. Malmberg also said it intends to offer that choice, but has not given a date.

Education

First decline in total student debt

◆5 sources

The combined student debt of students and former students fell for the first time, reaching €28 billion at the start of 2026. This was €800 million, or 3%, lower than at the start of 2025, after annual increases in previous decades. Students borrowed less following the return of the basic grant. Average debt nevertheless continued to rise, including among former students who studied under the loan system; one report put the average at €18,000 per student. The number of high student debts was also still increasing.

Crime

Cornell response to alleged gang rape case

◆8 sources

Cornell University president Michael Kotlikoff said the university would take measures and conduct an independent investigation after renewed attention to a former student’s allegation that she was drugged and raped for hours by seven members of the Chi Phi fraternity in 2024. He acknowledged concern over the university’s earlier response and promised greater openness in the investigation. The woman, identified in reports under the pseudonym Jane Doe, has filed a civil case against the seven men. Her lawyer said she has received threats intended to make her withdraw the case; the seriousness of those threats is unclear. She has said Cornell did not adequately protect her at the time and that the suspects were not punished sufficiently.