PARIS – Student protests intensified across France on Tuesday as students, teachers and parents staged demonstrations in several cities and blocked access to hundreds of schools, protesting what they say are deteriorating conditions in the education system.
The demonstrations, which have continued for nearly two weeks, are directed at President Emmanuel Macron’s government over shortages of teachers, inadequate classroom facilities and plans to reduce education spending.
Peaceful protests began in the morning in Marseille, Nantes and Lyon, while a larger demonstration was expected in Paris later in the day, Reuters reported.
Protesters carried placards expressing frustration with political leaders and the state of the education system. One sign read: “Where are our politicians? Do they know we are struggling?”
The protests have grown following an early police crackdown that included the use of tear gas and mass arrests, according to reports. The government has described the escalating unrest as developing into urban violence.
The situation took a serious turn on Monday in northern France when a 15-year-old student suffered severe injuries after an explosion during a confrontation involving protesters and police. A local government official said between 250 and 300 demonstrators had been throwing hard objects at police, although the exact circumstances of the teenager’s injury remained unclear.
Regional media La Voix du Nord reported that the teenager had picked up a police grenade, which subsequently exploded in his hand, causing devastating injuries.
France’s high school students’ union said more than 1,800 schools had been blockaded nationwide. Some schools have attempted to continue classes online amid the disruption.
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has instructed ministers to take steps to address the students’ demands.
Among their key demands are measures to ensure that classes are not left without teachers when staff are absent, a review of the long school day—currently extending from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. in some cases—and longer lunch breaks.
Students are also calling for inspections of older school buildings and investment in their renovation.
Another major demand is that the government abandon plans to cut funding for the education sector, which protesters say would further worsen staffing shortages and deteriorating school facilities.
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