France: UN concerned over violence at school protests – 141 high schools shut
French students have protested for five days. The UN human rights agency voiced concern, while the government is sending 3,000 substitute teachers to the hardest-hit schools.
Archive image · Photo: David.Monniaux / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped and resized)
High school protests in France show no sign of easing: on Friday, 141 of the country's roughly 3,700 high schools (lycées) were closed, according to the Education Ministry. It was the fifth consecutive day of protests. The students, mostly aged 15 to 18, are criticising teacher shortages, overloaded timetables, crumbling buildings and schools ill-equipped for rising temperatures. The rallies have been largely peaceful, although some fires were set and bus shelters damaged.
The UN human rights agency voiced concern. "We are following with concern incidents related to the student protests and high school blockades in France," spokesperson Shabia Mantoo said, according to Euronews. According to the Justice Ministry, nearly 7,000 people have been taken into police custody since mid-September, about 86 percent of them minors. Rights groups accuse the police, who used tear gas, batons and blast balls, of excessive force; 18 internal investigations are under way.
Education Minister Édouard Geffray announced on Thursday evening that around 3,000 substitute teachers would be sent to the 114 most affected high schools in the coming days. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has promised a plan by the end of October. Under the draft 2027 budget, education spending is set to rise by 1.4 percent to €90.9 billion. Student representative Marius Mesnil spoke of "a few crumbs" and called for a new wave of protests on Tuesday.