Nationwide student protests in France have turned violent, and police have fired tear gas in various cities, including Paris and Marseille. Videos shared on social media show intense clashes between security forces and protesters. Some students have set fires in the streets and thrown objects at the police.
Call from Student Unions
The protests began after the student unions Union Syndicale Lycéenne (USL) and Union Étudiante (UE) called for the blocking of high schools and universities across the country. These groups have urged all political organizations and unions to support these movements and have emphasized issues such as a shortage of teaching staff and overcrowded classes.
Read more: Student protests in France left hundreds injured and thousands arrested
Injury and Arrest Statistics
Sébastien Lecornu, the Prime Minister of France, announced in a parliamentary session that these protests have led to "the highest cost imposed on the education system in decades." He stated that at least 215 teenagers and 85 educational staff have been injured in the clashes. Additionally, the French Ministry of the Interior has reported that around 6,100 people have been arrested since the protests began about two weeks ago.
Lecornu also referred to the reported violence during these protests, stating: "Setting a high school on fire does not improve the condition of school buildings." He called this behavior "unacceptable."
One university student studying in the suburbs of Paris described the police response to these protests as "very aggressive" and added that students feel compelled to resort to violent methods to make their voices heard.
Impact on the Education System
The French Ministry of Education has announced that at least 900 high schools were closed on Tuesday due to these protests. Meanwhile, the USL has provided a higher figure, claiming that about 2,000 high schools have been shut down. To manage this situation, the Ministry of Education has launched a national consultation for students that will continue until October 23.
The Minister of Education, Édouard Geffray, stated: "It is very important that we hear the voices of all high school students and take into account the diversity of their educational experiences." As these protests continue, broader dimensions of the situation are becoming visible.
Read more: Arrest of the seventh suspect in connection with the plot to attack a British airbase · French government seeks to cut costs amid student protests
