PARIS: France’s student-led unrest has intensified, with hundreds of thousands taking to the streets in a nationwide mobilisation demanding urgent reforms in the education system.
More than 266,000 people, including students, teachers, parents and union activists, joined demonstrations across France on Tuesday, with 56,000 protesters reported in Paris. The movement has also triggered school blockades and class boycotts, while clashes with riot police have led to hundreds of injuries and nearly 500 arrests in a single day.
Students are protesting overcrowded classrooms, staff shortages, deteriorating school infrastructure and wider inequalities in public education. Anger has also been directed at the Parcoursup university admission system.
The protests, which began in the Paris region in September, have rapidly evolved into a broader social movement, putting Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu’s government under mounting pressure.
The government has promised dialogue and measures to improve staffing and school infrastructure, but student groups have vowed to continue demonstrations until concrete reforms are announced.