In brief
Student demonstrators across France have seized schools, demanding better conditions and more teachers amid mounting government cuts. The protests, which began in Paris and spread to cities such as Montpellier, Nantes and Marseille, have seen riot police forcefully entering schools, resulting in several arrests, injuries and significant property damage. The French justice minister warns of a rising public order disturbance, while education officials claim the movement has been hijacked by non‑students. Unions and parents alike call for calm, as the unrest threatens to accompany President Macron’s campaign ahead of the upcoming elections.
Riot police have clashed with protesters as thousands of students demonstrating over education standards disrupted more than 560 schools in France on Friday.
Students and supporters set fires in the streets, raising concerns over a lack of teachers, overcrowded classrooms and run‑down buildings. The protests began last week in Paris and have spread across cities including Montpellier, Nantes and Marseille.
French justice minister Gerald Darmanin said the situation had evolved from “high‑school student demonstrations” to a public order disturbance.
A 17‑year‑old was arrested on suspicion of attempted homicide after an incident in Belfort, where a police officer was targeted. At least 65 staff members have been injured, according to the education ministry.
In the Paris suburb of Pantin police charged at protesters and made arrests after projectiles were thrown at officers. Meanwhile, tear gas was deployed in Strasbourg, and rubbish bins were set aflame in Rennes and Paris.
"As far as we're concerned, we've won – our school is closed this morning," a 16‑year‑old protester, Lola, told AFP. She added that police actions had made them even angrier.
In Marseille, fireworks were hurled at police, while teachers were splashed with petrol at a school. The education ministry said significant damage had been done to school facilities, and the Nelson Mandela high school in Nantes suffered over €2 million (£1.7 million) in damage, as reported by the regional government.
The protests started last week, and students claim school hours are too long, classrooms are too hot and too many staff are absent. This comes at a crucial time for President Emmanuel Macron, as budget cuts planned for next year could further affect education funding.
Education Minister Édouard Geffray accused the movement of being hijacked by non‑students, noting that teachers had claimed certain protestors were not their pupils. Unions such as SNEP‑FSU, SNUEP‑FSU and Solidaires have called for support and urged the government to stop firing at children.
