School protests have resumed across France despite the prime minister ordering ministers to produce an action plan addressing students’ demands for increased education funding and improved conditions.
High school students have been joined by university students and trade unions, with a large rally expected in Paris on Thursday. Demonstrators have been moving between schools and blocking streets, while university students have erected barricades in solidarity with those in secondary education.
The protests began at a high school in a deprived area of Paris on September 21. Tens of thousands of students have since taken part in demonstrations across the country, calling for measures including renovated school buildings and fewer classroom hours.
Police response under scrutiny
Rights groups have accused security officials of using disproportionate force against protesters. Several demonstrators have been injured, including a teenager who lost a hand and another whose jaw was shattered by an exploding stun grenade. Such grenades have since been banned at marches.
Authorities say police officers and teachers have also been hurt, and have accused students of violent acts. The Interior Ministry said at least 6,600 people, mostly minors, had been arrested.
Officials said 375 schools were fully or partially closed on Thursday, while two dozen had been burned or destroyed.
The unrest is increasing pressure on Emmanuel Macron’s cash-strapped outgoing government ahead of April elections. Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu condemned the violence in a television address on Wednesday and criticised “political leaders who use this anger to conduct their electoral battles”.
His remarks followed a call from opposition leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon for protesters to continue marching.
Mr Lecornu has given ministers until the end of the month to produce a plan responding to the students’ demands. Protesters remain unconvinced, saying the government talks about solutions without taking concrete action.
“As far as they are concerned, the government only talks about solutions but never actually comes up with concrete actions, so they say they are going to keep coming out onto the streets until their demands are met,” said Natacha Butler, reporting from Paris.
