In brief
A wave of student protests has erupted across France, with hundreds of minors arrested and dozens injured. The demonstrations began in Paris last week and have advanced to Geneva, Lyon, Strasbourg, Lille and Marseille. Young protesters are blockading schools and demanding a reform of the education system, citing overcrowded classes and a severe shortage of teachers. Authorities are grappling with how to address the calls for greater resources while ensuring safety.
Hundreds of students, most of whom are minors, have been arrested and dozens injured as a wave of protests sweeps France’s schools.
The demonstrations began in Paris last week, where groups of teenagers blockaded school gates, marched on campus, and held signs demanding more school resources. The unrest has rapidly spread to cities such as Dijon, Lyon, Strasbourg, Lille and Marseille.
Parents and educators say classrooms are overcrowded, with student‑to‑teacher ratios rising above the EU average. The government cites budget constraints but must now respond to the urgent calls for more teachers and better infrastructure.
Political leaders have condemned the violence but also pledged to investigate the root causes of the protests. The BBC’s Paris correspondent, Hugh Schofield, reports that the demonstrations now stretch into their second week, with students demanding a tangible action plan.
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