19 hrs ago
Why French Students Are Protesting and Blockading Schools
Students across France are protesting problems at their schools.
They say there are not enough teachers and resources, and that school days can be long and classes overcrowded.
The protests began at a high school in Créteil on September 17 and then spread.
Some students have blocked school entrances, and some demonstrations have involved tear gas and burning bins.
The government says students may have real concerns, but violence is unacceptable.
Critics say some police used too much force against teenagers.
Videos on social media have helped spread dramatic scenes from the protests.
The government says the hard-left party France Unbowed is encouraging the movement, but the party denies being behind it.
Jean-Luc Mélenchon supports the protests while calling for non-violent methods.
Students at French lycées have protested school conditions, including teacher shortages, overcrowded schedules and inadequate resources.
The movement began September 17 at Saint-Exupéry high school in Créteil and spread nationwide.
The education minister said about 735 establishments were affected on Friday; a major protest day was planned for Tuesday, September 29.
The interior ministry reported more than 5,000 arrests since Monday, September 28, while critics accused some police of using excessive force against young protesters.
The government blamed the hard-left France Unbowed for encouraging the protests; the party denied directing them, and Jean-Luc Mélenchon urged non-violence.
- Who
- Students at French lycées, which teach 15-to-18-year-olds.
- What
- Nationwide student protests and school blockades over staffing, resources, classroom conditions and schedules.
- Where
- Across France, beginning at Saint-Exupéry high school in Créteil, a suburb of Paris.
- When
- The movement began September 17 and spread over the following week; a major protest day was planned for Tuesday, September 29.
- Why
- Students cite teacher absences, inadequate resources, difficult classroom conditions, overloaded timetables and inequalities between schools.
Critics and protesters
Government
Causes and political influence
Critics and protesters
Students point to staff shortages, poor conditions, overloaded timetables and unequal education. France Unbowed's Manuel Bompard denies that the party is behind the movement.
Government
The government says the grievances may be legitimate but accuses the hard left, including France Unbowed, of stoking the protests.
Police response
Critics and protesters
Critics say some police used heavy-handed force against protesters who are legally still children.
Government
The government says violence is unacceptable, while protests have at times involved tear gas and burning bins.
Key facts
- Movement began
- September 17 at Saint-Exupéry high school in Créteil.
- Schools affected
- The education minister said about 735 establishments were affected on Friday.
- Arrests
- The interior ministry reported more than 5,000 arrests since Monday, September 28.
- Planned protest
- A major new day of protest was planned for Tuesday, September 29.
- Age group
- Lycees teach students aged 15 to 18.
- Local agreement
- Saint-Exupéry returned to normal after authorities agreed to send extra staff, including a deputy principal and a nurse.
- Reported school day
- Students said some days run from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sources
Related news
France Blames Radical Left as School Protests Intensify
French Student Protests Escalate as Nearly 400 Schools Close
French Students Block Schools as Arrests and Injuries Rise
French High School Protests Spread Amid Fires, Clashes and Blockades
French High School Protests Overcrowding and Staff Shortages
