France Braces for Fresh Protests Over Poor School Conditions

France is preparing for another round of nationwide demonstrations in support of students protesting poor classroom conditions, as authorities express concerns over escalating violence.

 

The demonstrations, backed by trade unions and the far-left France Unbowed party, are expected to include a march through Paris, alongside rallies in other cities.

 

The protests follow demonstrations on Thursday, which attracted more than 70,000 people across France and led to about 500 arrests.

 

The student movement, which began in late September, has been driven by complaints over teacher shortages, dilapidated school buildings, overcrowded classrooms and inadequate learning conditions.

 

Although the number of school closures has declined, the Education Ministry warned that violence was intensifying.

 

On Monday, only 130 of France’s 3,700 high schools were closed, while eight teaching staff were reportedly injured in incidents linked to the protests, mostly in Paris and the cities of Bordeaux and Lyon.

 

In a separate incident near Marseille, police arrested a 14-year-old following a shooting that wounded a middle school headmaster and a teacher. Authorities said the incident was unrelated to the demonstrations.

 

While most protests have been peaceful, clashes between students and police have resulted in serious injuries, including cases involving the loss of an eye, teeth and a hand.

 

Students and human rights groups have accused security forces of using excessive force, while police have opened internal investigations into 24 allegations of brutality against demonstrators.

 

A 19-year-old graphic design student in Paris, identified as Leo, said students felt their concerns were not receiving adequate attention from authorities.

 

He also criticised what he described as unprecedented repression against the student movement.

 

French President Emmanuel Macron has urged protesters to exercise restraint, saying their grievances required time, consultation and dialogue to address.

 

“These are issues that deserve time, consultations, discussion and respect,” Macron said.

 

In response to the protests, the government has promised to deploy about 3,000 substitute teachers to replace absent staff in 114 of the worst-affected high schools. The Education Ministry said the deployment process had begun.

 

However, the national students’ union dismissed the measure as inadequate, demanding an additional €10 billion for high schools.

 

The demonstrations are expected to be followed by wider public rallies on Saturday against the rising cost of living, with some students hoping the two movements will converge.

 

Meanwhile, some parents and students have expressed concern over missed lessons caused by school blockades, arguing that the protests are disrupting the education of pupils who want to attend classes.

 

Gladys, a parent who requested anonymity, described the blockades as undemocratic, while university student Clara Juillet said she had been unable to attend classes for a week because of the protests.

 

More than 6,800 people, mostly minors, have been taken into police custody since the protests began, according to the French Justice Ministry.