Key facts
- Tens of thousands of young people have protested in France over the state of high school education.
- Protesters cite crumbling buildings, overcrowded classrooms, and long school days as grievances.
- A 15-year-old reportedly lost a hand after contact with a stun grenade during protests.
- A 14-year-old's jaw was allegedly shattered by police during a protest.
- Sociologist Fabien Truong praised the protesters' "maturity and coherence" and "solidarity."
- France's expenditure on high schools is 28% higher than the OECD average.
Tens of thousands of young people have taken to the streets across France to protest against the state of high school education, citing issues such as crumbling buildings, overcrowded classrooms, and long school days. The movement, which began on September 17 at Lycée Saint-Exupéry in Créteil, has spread to hundreds of schools nationwide.
Protesters are also expressing anger over alleged police brutality, with 18 investigations underway into incidents involving police weapons. One 15-year-old reportedly lost a hand after contact with a stun grenade, and a 14-year-old allegedly suffered a shattered jaw. The French interior minister has suspended the use of stun grenades but rejected accusations of widespread police brutality, stating that officers only intervened when protesters became violent.
Sociologist Fabien Truong noted the "maturity and coherence" of the protesters, highlighting a "social media effect" where students from wealthier backgrounds shared videos of poor conditions in schools in less affluent areas, fostering solidarity. This sentiment was echoed by teachers and students who emphasized a desire for equality in the education system.
Despite France's high expenditure on high schools, which is 28% higher than the OECD average, issues persist due to the large number of buildings to maintain, the cost of vocational courses, and difficulties in staffing, particularly in deprived areas. Shortages also exist in crucial roles like school nurses and support staff for students with disabilities.
Similar youth protests have occurred recently in Spain against a deepening housing crisis, and in the UK, where jobless young people demonstrated against bleak employment prospects. The common thread across these movements is a generation feeling betrayed by a lack of economic security and the erosion of public services.