More than 200 arrested as teachers join protests over class sizes, exhausting timetables, and staff shortages.
French teenagers have been blockading their schools in protest against class sizes, teacher shortages, and long timetables. These demonstrations, which began in Paris last week, have escalated and spread across France, leading to clashes with police as politicians exchanged heated words on how to respond.
Escalation of Protests
Authorities reported the arrests of 164 individuals on Monday as protests erupted at 180 schools. By Tuesday, high school pupils in Lille, northern France, set fire to dustbins and hurled bottles, paving stones, and other projectiles at police, who responded with teargas after protesters vandalized bus shelters and advertising hoardings. Confrontations also occurred in Bordeaux, Rennes, Nantes, and Marseille.
At the Lamartine lycée in northern Paris, students displayed placards expressing their grievances, with one reading:
““8am-6pm. More hours of lessons than sleep.”
Government Response
On Monday, Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez reported injuries among 12 officers, 12 students, and three school staff. By midday on Tuesday, the education ministry noted protests at 300 high schools, with an additional 40 arrests and 10 injuries among students and staff. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu condemned the escalating demonstrations, stating that such actions were “irresponsible.” He posted on X:
““Fireworks, fires, violence near high schools: nothing justifies endangering students, staff, or police.”
