Protests by French high school students over education conditions intensified on Thursday, with demonstrations spreading across the country and some turning violent as riot police confronted protesters.
Students aged between 15 and 18 have been demonstrating outside lycées since last week, raising concerns over class sizes, timetables, teacher shortages and inadequate school facilities. Some students have also complained about classrooms becoming excessively hot during recent heatwaves.
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Police said around 340 demonstrations were taking place outside high schools by mid-morning Thursday, while more than 160 schools had been shut or disrupted. University students also joined the movement, with a student union reporting blockades affecting around 30 campuses, including institutions in Paris and Marseille.
The demonstrations have led to clashes and disruptions in several cities. In Nantes, firefighters extinguished a fire at the entrance of a high school following a gathering that regional education authorities described as involving violence toward staff.
Authorities also reported incidents of vandalism around schools, while riot police were deployed in several locations. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said internal investigations had been opened following allegations of police brutality involving three students.
In Strasbourg, authorities temporarily halted tram services in areas affected by the protests, saying the measure was intended to restrict the movement of demonstrators and people involved in unrest.
Students used barriers to obstruct tram tracks, while burning rubbish bins and other objects were reported nearby. Some protesters fled after police used tear gas as clashes developed.
A 17-year-old student identified only as Raphael told CGTN that overcrowding and deteriorating facilities were among the reasons for the demonstrations. He said his classroom had 35 students and that temperatures could reach 35 degrees Celsius during summer.
In Lille, firefighters responded to burning rubbish containers, while the glass of a bus stop was reportedly damaged.
The protests have prompted a wider government response. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu reportedly asked ministers to postpone travel so local authorities could focus their resources on managing the demonstrations.
The government has also accused politicians from the left-wing France Unbowed (LFI) party of encouraging the protests. LFI leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon rejected the characterization, saying on Wednesday that his party had called for non-violent forms of protest.
While many students have participated peacefully, authorities say some individuals have joined demonstrations to commit vandalism and violence. The distinction between student demands and acts of destruction has become a central issue as the protests continue.
The demonstrations now represent a growing challenge for French authorities, with schools, universities and public transport affected in multiple cities. At the same time, students continue to press their concerns about classroom conditions, staffing and resources in France’s public education system.
