Thousands of students, teachers and parents took to the streets across France on Tuesday as a growing protest movement over poor school conditions entered its biggest day of mobilisation.
Demonstrators blockaded or disrupted classes at hundreds of schools, demanding action on teacher shortages, ageing buildings and long school hours. The protests, which began in Paris suburbs in September, have spread to cities across the country.
The demonstrations have increasingly brought students into clashes with police. More than 6,100 people have been arrested since the unrest began, while hundreds of police officers have been injured. A 15-year-old boy also suffered severe injuries during a confrontation with riot police in northern France on Monday.
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has ordered ministers to prepare measures addressing the protesters’ concerns, including better arrangements for replacing absent teachers, a review of school hours and repairs to deteriorating school buildings. The government wants initial proposals by the end of October.
The protests are putting additional pressure on the French government at a time when it is already facing tight public finances and political tensions. Education spending has become a major issue as students and their supporters demand improvements to facilities and teaching conditions.
While many demonstrations have remained peaceful, the escalation has turned the school crisis into a wider political challenge, with opposition parties seeking to capitalise on the unrest.
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