French high school protests lead to closures and over 5,000 arrests
UKPulse Local Desk
Student protests in France have resulted in the closure of up to 500 secondary schools and more than 5,000 arrests amid anger over long hours, missing teachers, and dilapidated buildings.
- Student protests in France have led to the closure of up to 500 secondary schools.
- More than 5,000 arrests have been made during the French student protests.
- French students are protesting against long hours, missing teachers, crumbling classrooms, and an opaque university admissions system.
High school pupils in France have been clashing with police in protests over issues including long hours, missing teachers, and crumbling classrooms. These demonstrations have forced the closure of up to 500 secondary schools across the country.
The protests, which began in the northern Paris suburbs and spread nationwide, have seen more than 5,000 arrests. Students are also expressing anger at an opaque university admissions system and an education system they believe entrenches social inequality.
French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has urged local authorities to prioritise filling long-term teacher absences and called urgent meetings to discuss repairing dilapidated school buildings.
Why this matters: The protests highlight a growing problem for Western European governments, with young people feeling denied socioeconomic security.