More than 400 students, largely minors, were detained across France after a wave of school blockades on Tuesday, the Interior Minister announced. The protests, which began in Paris, stem from overcrowded classrooms and a chronic shortage of teachers.
At least 10 teachers and several students were injured, as were 48 police officers, during clashes that saw bin fires and damaged bus stops. According to the education ministry, roughly 400 schools were touched by the movement.
A 16‑year‑old protester told AFP, “We’re not here to smash anything for no reason. We’re here to say the education system is broken: 34 people in each class is unsustainable, and teachers are overworked.”
Education Minister Édouard Geffray stressed that while students have the right to protest, violence was “indefensible.” He warned that extending blockades would put students and staff at risk.
President of the Union Syndicale Lycéenne, Ryad Rani, accused the government of repression and called police tactics excessive. In response, Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said the police action was “proportionate.”
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu cautioned that any escalation would be “irresponsible,” describing firework‑like incidents and vandalism as unacceptable. The protests coincided with a nationwide walkout by teachers, hospital staff and civil servants, claiming low wages and poor working conditions.
