Students blockaded schools and marched after Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu promised funded responses by late October without details. Morning closures fell to 157 by lunchtime.
French teenagers blockaded some high schools and marched on Thursday after the government promised to answer complaints about teacher shortages and run-down buildings but gave few specifics, Reuters reported. Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu said late Wednesday the government would present concrete funded responses by late October.
The education ministry said 224 high schools were closed in the morning and 157 remained closed by lunchtime, so 96 percent were open. Marches ran from Lille, Rennes and Nantes to Paris, Toulon and Marseille. On Wednesday the government suspended stun grenades after a teenager's hand was blown off.
In Marseille, teacher Diane Di Sciullo said she had 37 pupils and had to send them looking for spare chairs. Education Minister Edouard Geffray said he was implementing a plan so absent teachers can be replaced for longer periods.
An Elabe poll for BFM TV found 72 percent thought the demands were legitimate and 55 percent thought the protests should stop. The election to replace Emmanuel Macron is about six months away.
The Thursday development is that blockades continued, at a lower count, after an undetailed funding pledge.
People Sentiments Mixed
- Diane Di Sciullo said students have to hunt for spare chairs.
- Edouard Geffray said absent teachers would be replaced for longer.
- An Elabe poll found 72 percent thought the demands were legitimate and 55 percent wanted protests to stop.