A 15‑year‑old boy in Lens lost a hand after a so‑called anti‑encirclement grenade was fired during a student protest, inspiring the French Interior Minister to pause the use of stun grenades by police.
The incident sparks protests that have already shut more than 500 schools nationwide, with thousands of students, parents and teachers demanding better classroom conditions, larger teacher teams and safer school environments.
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez announced 18 investigations into whether officers had acted proportionally, while police officials said an anti‑encirclement grenade discharging amid a crowd could have caused the boy’s injury. Students insist an officer had fired the device while the boy was in close proximity.
Amid rising tensions, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu was set to address the nation, noting that 215 students, 85 teachers and 715 police officers had already been hurt in clashes. The cumulative toll of more than 6,500 arrests and school disruptions has alarmed the government.
The violence is part of a broader movement that began in September over overcrowded classrooms, antiquated building infrastructure and a severe shortage of teachers – issues that hamper the delivery of climate‑action curricula, leaving future generations vulnerable to a rapidly changing planet.
While the pause on stun grenades represents a temporary shift, the protests are signalling a deeper call for transformative investment in school chemistry, green roofs and sustainable heating, ensuring that schools become the frontline for climate education and resilience.
