France Closes 500 Schools
Lessons will be suspended in some high schools due to student protests over education standards. The French education minister said security conditions have not been fulfilled, with 24 schools burned or ransacked since the start of the protests.
Global Newsflix 2 min read
Up to 500 schools across France will be partially or totally closed on Monday due to clashes between riot police and student protesters. French Education Minister Édouard Geffray said lessons will be 'totally or partly suspended' in some high schools as security conditions 'have not been fulfilled'.
The protests, which started last week, have spread from Paris to other cities, including Montpellier, Nantes, and Marseille. Thousands of students are demonstrating over education standards, citing a lack of teachers, overcrowded classrooms, and run-down buildings.
On Friday, French Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin said 735 of France's 3,700 schools had been affected by violent protests. The education minister warned that the number of schools potentially affected on Monday could be comparable to Friday's figure.
Édouard Geffray claimed that activists from the far-left had infiltrated the high school student movement, hijacking it and engaging in extreme violence. He said 78 staff members in education had been wounded, which he described as 'something we have never seen before'.
On Friday, 1,747 people were arrested, according to French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez. Organisers of the protests have called for the demonstrations to continue on Tuesday, accusing the government of a lack of 'concrete measures'.
French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said his government is taking further steps to address the difficulties faced by high school students and educational staff. This includes ensuring classes continue, improving facilities, and making the French university admissions platform more transparent.
The government is also accelerating the review of its 'vandal-pays' bill to ensure that people responsible for damage bear the cost of their actions. Student groups say they have a long list of people injured by police, with two teenagers having serious eye injuries and one losing many teeth.
Key facts
- Up to 500 schools in France will be closed on Monday due to student protests
- 24 schools have been burned or ransacked since the start of the protests
- 1,747 people were arrested on Friday
- 78 staff members in education have been wounded
Three perspectives
Neutral
The French government is struggling to deal with the worst crisis in months, with thousands of teenagers demonstrating outside schools across the country. The situation remains tense, with both sides calling for action. The government's response will be closely watched in the coming days.
Positive
The student protests have brought attention to the need for improved education standards in France. The government's promise to take further steps to address the difficulties faced by high school students and educational staff is a constructive move. The review of the 'vandal-pays' bill may also help to prevent future damage.
Negative
The violence and destruction caused by the protests are a concern, with many schools damaged and staff members injured. The government's handling of the situation has been criticized, with some arguing that they have not done enough to address the students' concerns. The far-left activists' involvement in the protests has also raised concerns about the movement's direction.
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