More than 100 education staff members have been injured across France as widespread high school protests continue over severe teacher shortages and declining school conditions, French officials confirmed.
Rising Casualties and Mass Arrests
The casualty figure was disclosed by Minister Édouard Geffray following a visit to a high school in Cachan, south of Paris. Geffray strongly condemned the escalating violence while commending staff who stepped in to safeguard students and school grounds. The total toll from the unrest also includes 215 injured students and approximately 800 injured police officers and gendarmes.
A recent nationwide day of action drew roughly 71,500 demonstrators, including 24,500 in Paris, according to the Ministry of the Interior. That day alone resulted in 504 arrests and left 48 security officers injured.
Core Grievances and Government Concessions
Students are mobilizing against persistent issues plaguing the educational system, including:
- Severe shortages of qualified teachers
- Overcrowded classrooms and poorly organized schedules
- Deteriorating infrastructure and insufficient learning resources
In response, the French government announced the recruitment of 3,024 substitute teachers to fill urgent vacancies, with the first deployments underway and additional temporary staff being scouted. However, trade union leader Marylise Léon characterized these measures as merely a first step, emphasizing that fundamental structural demands remain unresolved.
Disruptions and Scrutiny Over Police Tactics
Blockades have paralyzed institutions in major cities, including Paris, Rennes, and Strasbourg. In the capital, classes were canceled at the Lamartine school complex, and morning lectures were disrupted at Panthéon-Assas University. Student unions have already called for a renewed day of national mobilization on October 13, requesting direct talks with Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu.
Meanwhile, law enforcement actions face mounting scrutiny. Authorities have launched an investigation into footage appearing to show an officer kneeing a demonstrator in the face in Paris. Across France, more than 21 separate investigations into alleged police misconduct during the protests are currently underway.