France school protests: Hundreds of schools closed and 40 headteachers hurt
Hundreds of French secondary schools have been disrupted by student protests over poor conditions, including overcrowding and teacher shortages. The government has blamed the far-left party La France Insoumise for instrumentalizing the students.
Why it matters
The protests reflect growing civil unrest in France regarding public services and education policy, with potential for wider political fallout.
The scene in Finistere in Brittany on Friday
More than 500 of France's 3,700 secondary schools faced disruption on Friday, as young people across the country protested over school conditions.
"We are angry," one student in Paris told the BBC , adding that it's "not normal" that there are 40 students in one classroom at a time.
Overcrowded classrooms, unsanitary facilities, and a shortage of teachers is the current state of education in France, youth centre director Laëtitia Degeuse says .
Elsewhere, there are concerns that the protests have been hijacked by external casseurs (vandals), as our Europe digital editor notes.
It appears that the protests are far from over, as France's biggest trade unions have called for members to join a protest on 6 October.
Also covering this story
9 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
French secondary schools burn as student unrest spreads
France school protests escalate into ‘urban violence’ as PM calls crisis cabinet meeting
Hundreds of French high schools shut amid protests
Student protests rage across France as PM holds crisis meeting
French school protests spread as fires, blockades deepen unrest
Student protests grip France as Prime Minister Lecornu calls crisis meeting
Watch: Why are students protesting at schools in France?
France rocked by protests as nearly 400 schools close amid student-police clashes
France Blames "Radical Left" For Violence Amid Intensifying School Protests
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in