Riot police clash with students as education protests rage in France
Widespread protests by high school students in France have escalated into violent clashes with riot police across multiple cities. Students are demonstrating against poor education standards, including teacher shortages and overcrowded classrooms.
Why it matters
The unrest highlights growing dissatisfaction with the French education system and poses a significant public order challenge for the government.
Image source, EPA/Shutterstock Image caption, High school students face off against riot police during a protest in Montpellier
Riot police have clashed with protesters as thousands of students demonstrating over education standards disrupted more than 700 schools in France on Friday.
Fires have burned in the streets as high school pupils and others objected to a lack of teachers, overcrowded classrooms and run-down buildings.
The protests began last week in Paris and have spread across the country, with cities including Montpellier, Nantes and Marseille affected.
French justice minister Gerald Darmanin said things had "gone from high-school student demonstrations to a public order disturbance".
School protests send shivers down French government's spine
Published 4 hours ago On Friday, a 17-year-old was arrested on suspicion of attempted homicide after protests in Belfort, north-eastern France, where a police officer was targeted.
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6 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
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