As time goes by, the student protests in France are increasing. Hundreds of schools are closed to protest the dilapidated condition of school classrooms, excess students, shortage of teachers. This is the second week of protests. It is known that a large protest program is going to be held across the country on Tuesday. Before that, 3 lakh students were seen coming down the streets across the country on Monday.
French Education Minister Edouard Jeffre said on Sunday evening that 400 to 500 of France's 3,700 high schools will be fully or partially closed on Monday. However, he assured that the situation will be gradually and partially normalized. The protests began in late September over a teacher crisis at a high school on the outskirts of Paris. Which later spread across the country. And the wrinkles are growing steadily.
Since last Monday, about 5,000 youths who participated in this movement have been arrested. Many were injured. Among them are teachers as well as common people. Property damage is believed to be in the tens of millions of euros.
Paris police chief Patrice Faure said in an open letter on Saturday that those who started the protests were no longer in control. He urged the students to call off the blockade program and opt for peaceful protests. But then student organizations called for nationwide protests on Tuesday. Security officials fear that the protests, particularly in central Paris, could turn violent. Because there are concerns that far-left and anarchist groups may try to take control of the movement.