Nearly a week after protesting against police measures to maintain order, school students across France took matters into their own hands Friday, when some set fires and hurled objects at authorities. The nationwide protest against the education conditions entered into the next day with police using tear gas.
Protests that started in the Paris area in September have boomtrough the rest of France. On Friday, France’s Education Ministry reported a total of 564 high schools were impacted by “actions or disruption,” and almost 400 schools were closed.
Students Protest Over School Conditions
The key issues identified by the students relate to long school hours, overcrowded classes, staff shortages, and poor facilities. There have been complaints also about the classrooms being over heated and the long vacancy in the teaching force.
According to regional authorities at least 55 high schools experienced violence, clashes or damages on Friday in the Paris region. There were also reports of fire in some school buildings to which emergency services have been called.
Police in Brest detained protesters at Kerichen High school setting off projectiles in their eyes before using tear gas.
Police Assault And Force Draw Attention
A high school was also near an incident where youths surrounded and beat a police officer in Belfort. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez denounced the attack and authorities stated that a 17-year-old student had been arrested for the occurrence. The officer was briefly unconscious but didn’t appear to be in serious condition.
Meanwhile, students and human rights groups have complained about police tactics such as using tear gas and other crowd-control devices. French police has also opened inquiries into violent protests by demonstrators.
The Education Ministry has started talks with student representatives, parents and education organizations. Student organisations, which had announced that they would not cease mobilisations till they got concrete measures regarding their demands, said Friday that this would continue anytime.