تصاعد احتجاجات الطلبة في فرنسا.. المدارس تغلق والجامعات تدخل على خط المواجهة

The student protests in France entered a new phase of escalation on Tuesday, October 6, with movements expanding from high schools to universities, and teachers, parents, and unions joining the marches in several cities, amid a heavy security presence and clashes in some areas.

891 Educational Institutions Affected

According to the French Ministry of Education, 891 educational institutions experienced a complete or partial suspension of classes on Tuesday, including about 250 institutions in the Île-de-France region. The Ministry of the Interior estimated that around 86,000 people participated in protests outside Paris during the morning hours, while additional gatherings took place in the capital during the afternoon.

Student unions claim that the scale of the movement is larger than the official figures, as they announced the closure or blockade of 57 university sites, while the authorities confirm different numbers regarding the extent of the disturbances.

From School Crisis to Universities

The protesters' demands focus on the shortage of teachers, overcrowded classrooms, deteriorating buildings and facilities, and lack of resources, alongside objections to long school hours and difficulties associated with the university admission system "Parcoursup." Images of water leaks and the poor condition of some schools and lack of facilities have become prominent symbols of the protest movement.

Clashes and Arrests Raise Tensions

The demonstrations were accompanied by heightened security measures, as police used tear gas in Rennes, Strasbourg, and Lyon, after some protests turned into throwing projectiles and starting fires. Authorities announced the arrest of more than 6,100 people since the start of the movement, most of whom are minors, while 715 police officers and 215 teenagers were injured, according to the Prime Minister's office.

The serious injury of a 15-year-old boy to his hand during an incident related to a police bomb used to disperse protesters sparked criticism regarding security handling methods, while the Ministry of the Interior defended the appropriateness of its interventions in most cases.

The Government Opens the Door for Dialogue

In an attempt to contain the escalation, the Ministry of Education launched a national consultation via the "Agora" platform that will last until October 23, inviting all high school students to submit their complaints and suggestions anonymously. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu also requested proposals regarding compensating absent teachers, repairing buildings, and reconsidering the organization of the school day before the end of October.

However, the continuation of the protests indicates that the government is facing a difficult test, especially with the upcoming presidential elections and increasing political and economic pressures on it.