Protests by French Teachers and Students Spread Nationwide; Nearly Half of High Schools Suspended | WPN World People News

In the third wave of student demonstrations across France, more than 250,000 people took to the streets, resulting in at least 215 teenagers injured so far and marking the largest mobilization since the protests began. The French Ministry of National Education stated that 24 schools have been set on fire or vandalized since the unrest broke out. Facing escalating protests, the French government urgently initiated a nationwide high school dialogue; however, student groups have refused to back down, and a new wave of demonstrations is already imminent.

The wave of protests began in mid-September in the Parisian suburbs, initially in solidarity with teachers protesting over staffing shortages and lack of resources, before rapidly spreading throughout the country. Students are demanding improvements to the educational environment, complaining of frequent teacher absences, overly long school hours, overcrowded classrooms, and run-down, poorly maintained school buildings.

The demonstrations, which have lasted for two weeks, have repeatedly turned violent. Some protesters set fire to trash cans, vandalized bus shelters, and hurled projectiles at police, who responded with batons, tear gas, and rubber bullets to disperse the crowds. According to French government statistics, 715 police officers and 215 teenagers have been injured in the protests, and more than 6,100 people have been arrested—most of them minors. The Ministry of Justice stated that over 1,800 individuals have been prosecuted.

While attempting to address student demands, the French government has also accused the far-left party La France Insoumise (France Unbowed) of interfering and exploiting the protests as a warm-up for party leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon's presidential bid next year.