Today, about 320,000 foreign students study in France
According to RFI, the protest, which was attended by both foreign students and French nationals, took place in front of the Pantheon in central Paris. "Same education – same cost," shouted the participants.
Lila Le Bas, president of the UNEF student union, told the France-Presse agency that the increase in tuition fees will raise the level of inequality in universities. In her opinion, the new government initiative will sharply reduce the number of students from Africa, who currently make up 45% of all foreigners in French higher education institutions.
"Parents help students in the first year, but afterwards they have to find a part-time job and survive on their own," said Tidiane, a student from Senegal. "If the cost rises, they will have to drop out." In her opinion, France has a responsibility towards French-speaking students from Africa.
As Prime Minister Edouard Philippe previously stated, simultaneously with the change in university enrollment fees, the French authorities will triple the number of scholarships for foreign students. Student unions called this measure "insufficient." As noted by UNEF, many of those who cannot receive financial aid from the state will be forced to stop their studies.
Recall that the French government announced plans to increase tuition fees for students who are not citizens of European Union countries on November 19. A year of undergraduate study will now cost students 2,770 euros, and master's and doctoral programs – 3,770 euros.
As specified by the state organization Campus France, which is responsible for attracting and accommodating foreign students, the price will increase only for those who enroll in a French university for the first time or switch to another program – for example, continue their studies in a master's program after a bachelor's degree.