Politics · France · 10 hrs ago
French minister says about 50 pupils were injured during school blockades
France's education minister says about 50 pupils were injured by classmates during the week schools reopened.
Edouard Geffray said some pupils suffered hearing loss after being hit by fragments from mortar fireworks.
He also said more than 200 school staff had been injured, without giving further details.
The injuries came amid student blockades that disrupted lessons, which Geffray said were illegal and could lead to disciplinary measures.
The blockades have caused missed lessons, and the minister wants to use existing academic support programmes to help pupils catch up.
He plans to offer extra classes during school holidays, including the February or Easter breaks, with teachers who volunteer and are paid for the work.
Education Minister Edouard Geffray said about 50 pupils were injured by fellow pupils during the week classes resumed.
He said some pupils suffered serious hearing damage from mortar-fire fragments.
Geffray also said more than 200 school staff had been injured during attacks linked to the blockades.
He called school blockades illegal and threatened disciplinary sanctions for pupils who took part.
He said he wanted to extend catch-up classes during school holidays to make up for lessons missed.
- Who
- Education Minister Edouard Geffray said about 50 pupils were injured by fellow pupils.
- What
- Pupils were injured during school blockades, with some suffering serious hearing damage.
- When
- During the week classes resumed; Geffray made the statement on 9 November 2026.
- Where
- Not stated.
- Why
- Not stated.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Geffray said about 50 pupils were injured by fellow pupils during the week.
Geffray made the statements on France 2’s 4 Vérités programme.
- Pupils injured
- About 50
- School staff injured
- More than 200
- Minister
- Edouard Geffray
- Statement date
- 9 November 2026
- Proposed catch-up classes
- During the February or Easter holidays
What people are saying
About fifty pupils were injured by their classmates during the week classes resumed.
A blockade is illegal, because it prevents classmates from going to class.
Some were seriously injured, with hearing loss from mortar-fire fragments.