France's school protests: What lies behind the anger
Students across France are protesting against school underfunding, staff shortages, and the opaque university admissions system, Parcoursup. The movement has seen significant unrest, with clashes between protesters and police occurring in multiple locations.
Why it matters
The protests reflect broader societal frustrations regarding the quality of public services and the future prospects of French youth.
Image source, Reuters By Henri Astier Published 2 hours ago Since late September students across France have been holding protests against underfunding in education, and have been blocking access to many high schools.
The movement has turned violent in places – hundreds of students, teachers and police officers have been injured. Thousands of people – including an unknown number of outside troublemakers – have been arrested.
The protesters are complaining about staff shortages and dilapidated facilities in the country's lycées, schools which are attended by 15-18-year-olds.
"Sometimes our teachers are absent for several weeks without being replaced," Madalena, a Paris student, told the BBC on Tuesday as demonstrations brought out hundreds of thousands across France. Her school buildings, she added, were "boiling hot" during the recent heat waves.
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