Massive student protests are sweeping across France, with students, teachers and parents taking to the streets to protest staff shortages, underfunding and poor conditions in classrooms.
On Tuesday, around 256,000 people took part in demonstrations across the country, according to the Interior Ministry, including 56,000 in Paris. Organisers, however, put the total number of protesters at 450,000, with 100,000 gathering in the French capital.
Students blocked access to schools, while rallies were held in cities including Marseille, Strasbourg, Lyon, Nantes and Toulouse. The protests began in September at a school in the suburbs of Paris and gradually spread across the country.
The protesters’ main demands include increased funding for public education, the recruitment of more teachers and improvements to school infrastructure. Students have reported a range of problems, from overcrowded classrooms to water leaks and the presence of rodents.
Most marches took place peacefully, although clashes were reported in Paris, Strasbourg, Lyon and Rennes. Police used tear gas, while protesters threw objects and set fires.
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu condemned the incidents and rejected accusations of police repression. He also announced the suspension of classes in high schools towards the end of the week to allow a process of democratic dialogue to begin, while accusing the radical left of seeking to plunge the country into chaos ahead of the presidential elections.
