Hundreds of thousands of students have been protesting across France since the end of last month, citing staff shortages and dilapidated facilities in the country's lycées, which are secondary schools for 15 to 18-year-olds.
Students have reported issues such as a lack of chairs, overcrowded canteens, and long school hours. Videos shared on social media have shown rats, broken toilets, holes in walls, and mouldy ceilings in schools. Teachers have joined the demonstrations, with one secondary school teacher noting that classes are typically packed with 35 pupils.
On Tuesday, the government stated that 250,000 people marched, while trade unions estimated the number to be closer to half a million. The French government announced on Thursday a promise of 3,000 extra supply teachers in the coming days. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has also stated that a plan to respond to the crisis will be unveiled by the end of October.
The protests have resulted in widespread arrests and injuries. The interior ministry reports that almost 7,000 people have been detained, with over 85% being children. More than 700 police officers and at least 200 pupils have been injured. Police have since been banned from using stun grenades at school protests.