High school pupils across France returned from a two-week break to resume demonstrations that originally started in September, rejecting recent government concessions on class sizes and admissions systems. Police intervened at several locations, dragging away barriers and making arrests, including an incident in Montpellier where a 53-year-old school nurse was handcuffed on the ground. The education ministry reported 41 affected schools, though student unions claimed the total reached roughly 150 campuses. As educational disruption mounts, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has agreed to meet with student union representatives next week.
Key points
Student unions claim as many as 150 schools faced blockades, far exceeding the government…: Student unions claim as many as 150 schools faced blockades, far exceeding the government tally of 41.
Education officials warn that prolonged unrest threatens coursework completion for hundre…: Education officials warn that prolonged unrest threatens coursework completion for hundreds of thousands preparing for final baccalauréat exams.
The government plans formal dialogue with student leaders next week after previous conces…: The government plans formal dialogue with student leaders next week after previous concession offers were formally rejected.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
Dozens of high schools across France were blockaded again on Monday as the government braced for another tense week of protests over school conditions and the high cost of living.
The protests come amid warnings that weeks without lessons are putting some pupils’ school year and final exams at risk.
As children returned after the two-week school holiday, students’ unions ignored Emmanuel Macron’s call to end the lycée blockades, which have been running since September and have prompted one of the biggest protest movements and social crises of his presidency.
From early morning in Paris and its suburbs, as well as in cities including Lille, Toulouse and Marseille, schoolchildren demanding more replacement teachers and repairs to buildings barricaded school entrances with wheelie bins. Police officers outside some schools attempted to drag the bins away and made arrests.
University students’ unions were planning additional barricades at faculties on Tuesday. Trade unions have called for a large-scale strike on Thursday, with rail workers, teachers and private-sector employees planning to join demonstrations in cities across France to support schoolchildren’s demands for better conditions…
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