France: over 400 high schools switched to distance learning due to protests
In France, protests among high school students continue, affecting more than 400 educational institutions. On October 1, protests and blockades of high schools took place in a number of cities; in some cases, clashes with police occurred, Le Monde reports.
France: over 400 high schools switched to remote learning amid protests
Education Minister Édouard Geffray declared a "change in the nature" of the movement, blaming an "ultra-left group" for the violence.
According to the publication, high school and student unions demanded an increase in the number of teachers and the preparation of an emergency plan for building repairs.
On Friday, October 2, more than 400 high schools are closed, with classes being held in a remote format.
According to the country's Ministry of the Interior, 1,949 people were detained on Thursday; since Monday, 1,793 people have been placed in custody, the Ministry of Justice reports.
The Education Minister stated that 65 staff members and 170 students have been injured since the start of the movement.
The measure to charge tuition fees for BTS and preparatory classes for non-scholarship students has been canceled (178 and 270 euros respectively).
On Friday, the Education Minister will receive associations of high school students and parents.
Unions are insisting on the mass hiring of teachers and an emergency plan for building repairs.
Riad Rani, President of the National Union of High School Students, and Sabrine Harbach, representative of the National Union of Students, stated that they would be received by the Education Minister on Friday. Among the demands of the union representatives are the mass hiring of teachers, the development of a plan for building repairs and, as they claim, addressing the underfunding of universities and schools.
Édouard Geffray stated that the high school student movement "was legitimate at the beginning" but has now been "hijacked by ultra-violent groups."
He also accused the "La France insoumise" (LFI) party of "stoking and appropriating" the blockades.