French students vow more protests as 141 schools remain closed

French student unions pledged on Friday to continue two weeks of demonstrations over education conditions, with 141 schools currently shut down across the country.

Student and teacher unions have called for a new round of nationwide strikes next Tuesday. France 24 reported that the campaign is receiving growing support from elite universities in Paris, with student leaders claiming they have secured an initial win. The education ministry confirmed that 141 schools remain closed as of Friday.

Tensions remain high following a massive turnout on October 6. EUobserver noted that while the interior ministry counted 250,000 demonstrators, the High School Student Union (USL) estimated the figure at 450,000. Protesters are demanding an end to teacher shortages and urgent repairs for deteriorating school buildings, but Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu told parliament that reform proposals will not be published until the end of the month.

The unrest has resulted in significant injuries, with EUobserver reporting that 715 police officers, 215 students, and 85 school staff members have been hurt. In Nantes, a school was set on fire, and the interior minister has now suspended the use of stun grenades. This suspension followed a Monday confrontation where a 15-year-old student's hand was blown off.

Authorities have launched 18 internal probes into allegations of police brutality since the movement began. Marius Mesnil, the USL’s co-general secretary, stated on Monday that the "balance of power" is currently in favor of the students. The secondary school teachers' union, SNES, has described the government's current lack of action as unacceptable.

Background

The protests erupted on September 21 after being sparked by a teachers' demonstration. Students and faculty are protesting against run-down school infrastructure and a lack of teaching staff.