French Students and Teachers Protest School Conditions in Nationwide Rallies

Students, teachers and parents marched in cities across France on Tuesday in the biggest day of action demanding the government fix understaffed and broken-down classrooms. Protesters blockaded hundreds of schools while holding smoke flares and placards. The street protests began peacefully mid-morning in Marseille, Nantes and Lyon.

Clashes and Demands

The demonstrations follow a fortnight of protests that started in Paris suburbs and spread nationwide, leading the government to deploy riot police. A teenager lost his hand and part of his lower arm after picking up a police dispersal grenade during clashes in northern France on Monday. François-Xavier Lauch, prefect of Pas-de-Calais, declined to comment on the exact circumstances. The High School Students Union said 1,800 high schools were blockaded or closed for the day. Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu ordered ministers to tackle core demands, including replacing absent teachers, reviewing school day lengths, and repairing ageing buildings.

Government Pressure

The protests put pressure on a government trying to reduce a large budget deficit as investor concerns over growing debt push bond yields higher. France's interior ministry said 6,100 people have been arrested since protests began, with over 1,800 people being prosecuted. At least 715 police officers and 215 teenagers have been injured in clashes, according to Lecornu's office.

Context

Public sector protests and student demonstrations over funding and infrastructure are common forms of civil action in France when governments face fiscal pressure. These movements often test the balance between maintaining public services and managing national debt limits.