France’s school protests continue – government looks for a way out

Demonstrations

France’s school protests continue – government looks for a way out

Students in France have been taking to the streets for days to demand more money for education. But in many places the protest is degenerating. How does the government plan to take action?

After days of sometimes violent school protests France the government is trying to get the situation under control. Education Minister Édouard Geffray wants to meet with representatives of high school and university students to discuss their demands. Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin, however, threatens that parents should pay for the damage caused by their children during the demonstrations.

The protests continued in the morning. According to Geffray, around 400 high schools will remain closed today and will offer distance learning instead. According to media reports, demonstrations were banned in the area around the closed schools.

For days, students at French high schools have been venting their anger about dilapidated school buildings and a lack of teaching staff. There are now also demonstrations at universities.

The protests also often led to riots. According to the Interior Ministry, the protests are turning into “urban unrest.” Emergency services would be attacked, fires set and destruction caused. Thousands of people were arrested.