Paris (AFP)

"This gesture only reveals the very important precariousness of the students": four days after the immolation of a student in Lyon, associations alert on the urgency of a reshaping of student social assistance.

This 22 year old immolated himself in front of the headquarters of Crous (regional centers of academic and academic works). Burned at 90%, he is still "between life and death" in the hospital.

In financial difficulty - he had lost his scholarship "tripled" his second year at the University of Lyon 2 - the young man explained his gesture in a message read Tuesday by a friend at a rally on the site of his act. "This year (...) I had no scholarship but even when I had, 450 euros per month, is it enough to live?" Asked the student before taking action.

Like him, Imane Ouelhadj, a second year student in language science, has no more scholarship. "I received 100 euros a month for two years while living with my parents but as I'm out of touch with them, I no longer have access to their tax sheets and therefore I do not touch anything", regrets this student affiliated with the student union Unef.

"After the trouble, it's the stress at the end of each month, I have the ball in the stomach and it's really psychologically difficult," says the young woman who enjoys "the help of friends".

For Mélanie Luce, president of Unef, the young man's immolation "only reveals the very important precariousness of the students". "The problem is that we chained the reforms (decline in social assistance, housing aid frozen ...) that precarious students but at the same time, spending items such as food, housing, increase," denounces -t it.

"The system is out of breath," she summarizes. "We are asking for a social aid reform plan, we are alerting the government on the issue and waiting for a response, there is urgency," says Luce.

On Tuesday, rallies were called by the Solidaires trade union in Lyon, Paris and other cities in France.

"Many of us feel precarious with help that is not available to all who need it," says Bérangère Poncet, president of the Paris student association.

- "Antidepressants" -

According to her, "many students combine their studies with a job and even for those who live with their parents, it is very difficult to reconcile everything".

"Nearly four out of ten students receive help, that's a lot," says Monique Ronzeau, President of the National Observatory of Student Life (OVE).

The government says it is working to improve student living conditions.

Since September 1st, all the students still affiliated to a mutual are automatically attached to the general scheme of the Health Insurance, thus signing the end of a Secu student created after the war and long remained in the lap of mutuals.

In addition, since the start of the school year, the grants provided by the Crous have increased by 1.1%, ie an additional 46 million euros.

Not enough for associations. "We must fundamentally reform student welfare, an increase in amounts," asks Orlane François, president of the Fage, the first student union.

According to her, "20% of young people aged 18 to 24 live below the poverty line.The scholarships range from 100 to 570 euros per month, it is not enough.These scholarships are aimed at very precarious audiences who must pay everything (rent, food, transportation), "she adds.

"Anxiety attacks, anti-depressants ...": Another 22-year-old political science student, who wishes to remain anonymous, recounts her "obstacle course".

"I lost my scholarship because I reoriented myself and I also doubled twice, my parents could not continue to help me.Luckily, friends help me to eat in particular, but it's hard and most importantly, I am very indebted at only 22 years old, "she says.

© 2019 AFP