The closure of schools in France due to widespread student protests will begin on Monday. The Minister of Education, Édouard Geffray, announced that between 400 and 500 schools will be fully or partially closed. This action follows security concerns arising from the increasing protests by students over poor educational conditions.
Reasons for Student Protests
The student protests began on September 17 at a school in Paris and soon escalated into severe and sometimes violent demonstrations across the country. Students are protesting issues such as high teacher absenteeism, long school days, and inadequate educational facilities. They have also pointed to a lack of proper ventilation during hot summer days, where temperatures have reached 40 degrees Celsius.
The Minister of Education announced on Sunday that the school closures are being implemented as a precautionary measure, with more protests expected on Tuesday. He added that the number of schools closed on Monday will be similar to that on Friday, but there are plans for a gradual return to classes.
Security Situation and Government Actions
Geffray also mentioned the damage inflicted on 24 schools and the injury of 78 educational staff since the protests began. He stated that some activists, particularly from the far left, have infiltrated and taken over the student movement, leading to severe violence. This situation poses risks for staff and students.
Valérie Pécresse, the president of the Île-de-France region, also announced that more than a third of the 468 schools in the region will be closed on Monday. The student protests continue due to the government's failure to provide effective measures to improve school conditions.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has urged local officials to prioritize filling gaps caused by long-term absences and vacant positions. He will also hold a meeting on Tuesday with regional heads to discuss the renovation of school buildings, which are often in poor condition.
The protests have also been accompanied by several violent incidents, with security forces sometimes using tear gas and batons to disperse young protesters. Since the start of this movement, over 5,000 people, 85% of whom are teenagers, have been arrested.
On Sunday, a 16-year-old was arrested after attacking a 59-year-old teacher. Additionally, a group of youths in the city of Belfort had assaulted a police officer. The French branch of Amnesty International has described the actions taken by the police as "disproportionate."
The Minister of the Interior, Laurent Nunez, however, defended the security forces, stating that they are "not seeking to suppress young people" but are "protecting students who wish to express their demands peacefully."
