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Mass protests by French high school and university students demanding greater investment in schools entered a new phase on Tuesday, with major trade unions, teachers, parents and other supporters joining a nationwide mobilisation.
Students have blockaded or disrupted hundreds of schools across the country, protesting overcrowded classrooms, teacher shortages, deteriorating buildings and inadequate resources. Around 590 schools were disrupted on Monday, according to the education ministry.
The protests have also become increasingly violent. More than 5,000 people have been arrested since the unrest began, about 85% of them minors, while at least 190 students and hundreds of police officers have been injured, according to French authorities and media reports.
Tensions escalated on Monday when a 15-year-old student lost his hand during a confrontation near a school in the northern city of Lens. Prosecutors said an investigation was under way to establish whether the teenager had picked up a police grenade or whether it had landed near him before exploding.
Education Minister Édouard Geffray called the incident a tragedy and said protecting students was the government’s “absolute priority”. He also condemned what he described as extreme violence during some of the protests.
Student representatives have urged the government to move from dialogue to concrete action.
Tuesday’s mobilisation has been backed by major unions, including the CFDT and CGT, as well as teachers’ organisations. Demonstrations are planned in Paris, Lyon, Marseille and around 30 other cities. udent grievances, including replacing absent teachers, improving school facilities and reviewing the organisation of the school day. But the Union Syndicale Lycéenne, one of the main student groups organising the protests, has said the government has offered little concrete action.
The movement began in the Paris region in September and has since spread nationwide, drawing university students, teachers, parents and trade unions into the campaign.
The government has pledged to address the problems while warning against school blockades, vandalism and violence. Meanwhile, investigations are under way into several incidents involving police conduct during the protests.