Paris – 10.06.2026: In light of recent tragic incidents where students lost their lives during internships, the French party La France Insoumise (LFI) has introduced a bill. It proposes the abolition of observation internships in 10th grade and a comprehensive reform of internships in 9th grade.
In recent months, several fatal accidents occurred during student internships. One particularly tragic case happened in April 2026, when a 15-year-old student died during an internship at a company in Saint-Lô, Normandy. Another incident occurred in May 2026, when a 16-year-old student was hit by a forklift in Bagnols-sur-Cèze, Gard.
These incidents have sparked broad discussions about the safety and value of student internships. LFI argues that the current internship models do not provide sufficient protection and do not optimally prepare students for the working world. Therefore, the party proposes abolishing observation internships in 10th grade and fundamentally reforming internships in 9th grade.
LFI’s bill aims to make internships safer and more effective. Specifically, it proposes that students in 9th grade, instead of a traditional company internship, should be more involved in school projects. These projects should be practice-oriented and allow students to explore various professional fields without facing the risks associated with company internships.
The discussion about reforming student internships is not new. Already in April 2026, the Minister of National Education, Edouard Geffray, considered redesigning internships in 9th and 10th grades. He suggested that students could complete several shorter internships at multiple companies instead of one longer internship, allowing them to experience a broader range of professions.
However, these proposals met with criticism. The Syndicat National des Enseignements de Second degré (SNES-FSU) expressed concerns about practical implementation and the possible burden on schools. Additionally, questions were raised about whether such reforms would truly lead to better preparation of students for working life.
The recent incidents have reignited the debate about the safety and value of student internships. LFI is now calling for concrete legal changes to make internships safer and provide students with better preparation for their professional future. It remains to be seen how the government and other political parties will respond to this proposal.
Overall, it is evident that the issue of student internships in France is a complex topic encompassing both safety concerns and educational objectives. The recent tragic events have emphasized the need for a thorough review and possible reform of this system.
Sources
- Franceinfo
- Le Figaro
- Le Monde