Almost 400 high schools in France were closed on Friday due to continued student protests that started a week ago. The protests, which began in the Paris area and quickly spread across the country, involved students blocking school entrances and clashing with police. According to officials, dozens of staff members were injured, and nearly 2,000 people, mostly minors, were detained by police.
The students are protesting against excessively long study hours and poor school conditions, including high temperatures in classrooms and frequent staff absences. The government has acknowledged that the students' concerns are legitimate but has condemned the violent acts. French Education Minister Edouard Geirard stated that the student movement had been hijacked by violent groups.
Geirard mentioned that about 400 out of 3,700 high schools in France were expected to be closed on Friday. Many schools planned to conduct classes remotely, especially in Marseille, a city in southern France. The minister reported that at least 65 staff members had been injured since the protests began, including 40 school principals.
Geirard urged parents to take responsibility and advise their children not to participate in the protests, emphasizing the need to ensure students' safety. He stated that it was crucial to prevent children from being in the streets, where they could be at risk. The minister's comments came as protests continued to affect schools across France.
French Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin announced that he had asked prosecutors to hold parents accountable for damages caused by their children during the protests. Darmanin stated that parents would be required to pay for repairs. He also reported that nearly 2,000 people, 90% of whom were minors, had been detained by police since the protests began.
The protests have disrupted the education system in France, with many schools forced to close or switch to remote learning. The government has faced criticism for its handling of the situation, with some accusing it of being too heavy-handed in its response to the protests. The protests have also raised concerns about the well-being and safety of students and staff.
The student protests in France have highlighted the challenges faced by the country's education system. The government will need to address the students' concerns and find a solution to the problems affecting schools. The situation remains uncertain, with further protests and disruptions possible in the coming days.
Key points
- Nearly 400 French high schools were closed due to student protests over long study hours and poor school conditions.
- The protests, which began in Paris, spread across France, resulting in dozens of injuries and nearly 2,000 detentions.
- The government has condemned the violence but acknowledged the legitimacy of the students' concerns about school conditions.
