French school protests draw 266,000 as 891 schools suspend classes
More than 266,000 people joined demonstrations across France on Tuesday over teacher shortages, overcrowded classrooms and deteriorating school buildings, according to the Interior Ministry. Police used tear gas and water cannon, nearly 500 people were detained that day, and classes were fully or partly suspended at 891 schools, the Education Ministry said. With France’s budget under pressure, the government has asked ministers for initial proposals by the end of October.
Bottom line — Sébastien Lecornu’s ministers must present initial education proposals by the end of October, as protests and school closures continue.
Go deeper 6
-
The Union Syndicale Lycéenne said about 1,800 schools were blocked, disrupted or closed on Tuesday; the Education Ministry’s count of schools suspending classes was 891.
-
The protests began in September at a school outside Paris, where teachers and pupils raised unfilled posts; demands now include better facilities, smaller classes and shorter school days, according to NPR and Deseret News.
-
Reuters reported that nearly 500 people were detained on Tuesday. The Interior Ministry’s cumulative count, reported by the New York Post, was 6,100 arrests since the movement began, most involving minors.
-
The government says violence has overtaken legitimate student concerns; students, parents and unions have criticised the police response as disproportionate, according to NPR.
-
Reuters reported that France’s 10-year bond yield briefly passed 5% last week as the government faced pressure over its deficit and debt, adding to the difficulty of funding school reforms.
-
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has asked ministers to consider replacing absent teachers, reviewing school-day length and repairing older buildings, with initial proposals due by the end of October.