PARIS, France — A growing wave of student protests has disrupted hundreds of schools across France, with high school students taking to the streets to demand better learning conditions, more teachers and increased resources for education.
The demonstrations, which began around the Paris region before spreading nationwide, have increasingly turned tense, with some protests involving school blockades, fires and clashes between demonstrators and police.
More Than 700 Schools Affected
France’s education authorities said about 735 educational establishments were affected on Friday, while hundreds of schools were closed or disrupted.
The protests are centred largely on lycées, where students aged roughly 15 to 18 complete their final years of secondary education. Students have complained about overcrowded classrooms, teacher shortages, poor facilities and demanding school schedules.
Some students say classrooms can contain more than 30 pupils, while schools struggle to replace absent teachers.
Protests Spread Beyond Paris
What started as demonstrations around Paris has spread to cities including Toulouse, Nantes, Marseille, Bordeaux, Lyon and Strasbourg.
In some locations, students blocked school entrances and burned rubbish bins. Police responded with tear gas in several areas as confrontations escalated.
Fire also damaged entrances at some schools, while transport services were disrupted in parts of the country.
Thousands Arrested
French authorities have reported a significant number of arrests since the protests began.
According to AFP, more than 5,000 people had been arrested since Monday, although the vast majority were minors. Authorities have also reported injuries involving students, police officers and school staff.
Education Minister Édouard Geffray said at least 170 students and 65 school staff members had been injured, while more than 100 high schools had suffered serious damage.
Government Calls for Calm
French authorities have acknowledged that students have legitimate concerns about education but have strongly condemned violence and damage to public property.
Education officials have urged parents to discourage children from participating in protests where violence is taking place, while police have been deployed around schools to prevent further clashes.
The unrest is also unfolding alongside wider industrial action over the government’s proposed budget, adding another layer of pressure on Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu’s government.
Students Demand Better Education Conditions
For many protesters, however, the demonstrations are fundamentally about the state of France’s education system.
Students say overcrowded classrooms, teacher shortages, inadequate facilities and difficult school schedules are affecting their education and daily lives.
The government now faces pressure to address those concerns while also containing the violence that has accompanied parts of the demonstrations.
With further protests expected in the coming days, France’s student movement could remain a major issue in the country’s political debate.
OnPointGist will continue to monitor the protests and report further developments from France.
