French students blockade high schools as government pledges action on education concerns

Paris, France. French teenagers blockaded some high schools and marched through cities on Thursday as the government promised to address teacher shortages and dilapidated school buildings but provided few specific details. The protest movement is now in its third week.

Protests highlight pressure on public services

The demonstrations have exposed deep tensions between public demands for investment in deteriorating services and a cash-strapped government facing pressure from bond markets to reduce its debt and deficit.

Large crowds demonstrated across France, from Lille in the north to Rennes and Nantes in the west, Paris, and Toulon and Marseille in the south. Scuffles between police and protesters occurred at some blockade locations in Paris.

Education ministry figures showed that the number of school blockades gradually declined during the day. The ministry said 224 schools were closed in the morning, falling to 157 by lunchtime, when 96 per cent of schools were open.

Teacher describes overcrowded classrooms

High-school teacher Diane Di Sciullo joined students at a large march in Marseille, saying they were asking for a decent education in decent conditions. She criticised overcrowding, saying she had 37 students in her class this year.

“At the start of every lesson, I have to ask them to check the neighbouring classrooms for spare chairs and desks so they can actually study,” she said.

Di Sciullo, 28, carried a placard reading: “I’m a teacher and my students help me catch cockroaches in class.”

Minister outlines replacement plan

Education Minister Edouard Geffray met students and teachers at a high school in the eastern city of Reims.

“I am currently implementing an emergency plan to ensure that absent teachers can be replaced on a long-term basis,” he said after the meeting.

He added that heavy school timetables were also under review.