French High School Protests Over Education Conditions Spread

In recent hours, over 200 schools nationwide have been affected by the protests, with blockade demonstrations occurring in several regions, including Hélène Boucher High School in the 20th arrondissement of Paris. Some protests led to clashes with the police, resulting in 164 arrests, indicating a firm progression.

The French High School Union (USL) called for a nationwide high school blockade on the 29th, in conjunction with public sector strikes.

In response, Laurent Nuñez, Minister of the Interior, and Édouard Geffray, Minister of National Education, issued a circular to enhance school security. The circular states that while students' freedom of expression must be respected, violent behavior will not be tolerated, and police forces may be mobilized in consultation with school principals during school blockades.

Even priority education schools in central Paris face issues of inadequate heating and cooling facilities and overcrowded classrooms.

Students point out that the environment is harsh, with classroom temperatures reaching 40 degrees Celsius in summer and being too cold in winter, and with up to 36 students per class, making normal lesson progression difficult. This student stated that the situation in high schools in rural areas or on the outskirts of Paris would be far more severe, demanding a national solution.

The Minister of National Education criticized that the high school students' protests are being exploited by political factions (such as 'France Unbowed').

It is reported that some parliamentarians encouraged high school students to stage blockade protests in conjunction with public sector strikes, and with confrontations continuing in various protest sites, chaos is anticipated during school commuting hours.