Paris: France is facing growing unrest as hundreds of thousands of people joined protests over the country’s education system, with students demanding more teachers, better school buildings and improved conditions in classrooms.
The Interior Ministry said around 266,000 people took part in demonstrations across France on Tuesday, including about 56,000 in Paris. Organisers gave a much higher estimate of roughly 450,000 people nationwide.
The protests have also turned violent in some places. Police used tear gas and water cannon during clashes, while hundreds of people were detained. The government said that 215 teenagers and 85 school staff had been injured, along with more than 700 police officers.
The protests began in the Paris region in September before spreading to other parts of the country. Students have blocked school entrances and walked out of classes, saying they are frustrated by overcrowded classrooms, a shortage of teachers, poor school buildings and long school days.
What started as a student movement has now attracted teachers, parents and trade unions, giving the protests a much wider reach.
Some of the incidents have been particularly serious. A 15 year old boy in Lens lost his hand in an incident involving a police stun grenade. Other teenagers have also suffered serious injuries, including one 16 year old who reportedly lost sight in one eye.
Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu has acknowledged the students concerns and said the government will work on some of their demands. Officials are looking at ways to replace absent teachers, improve school buildings and reconsider the length of school days. The government is expected to present initial proposals by the end of October.
But meeting the protesters demands will not be easy. France is already dealing with a large budget deficit and rising public debt. Student groups and unions have called for an emergency education package worth around 10 billion, while the government is under pressure to control spending.
For now, the protests show little sign of disappearing. More demonstrations are planned, leaving the government with a difficult task find the money to improve France’s schools while calming a movement that is quickly growing beyond the student population.
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