France warns against escalation of high school demonstrations

France's prime minister cautioned against the escalation of high school demonstrations on Monday, stating that any further unrest would be irresponsible. This warning came as the student protest movement expanded beyond Paris, with blockades and demonstrations occurring in other cities, including Marseille, Lille, and Sedan. Demonstrations have been ongoing since last week, with students protesting issues such as overcrowded classes, heavy workloads, and teacher shortages.

The protests initially began in the Paris region, with reports of vandalism and fireworks aimed at police. However, they have since spread to other regions, with four high schools blockaded in the southern Alpes-Maritimes and Var regions. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez described the demonstrations as more akin to urban violence than traditional protests, involving masked individuals equipped with fireworks and projectiles who sought to confront security forces.

Nunez reported 164 arrests on Monday and 180 schools affected, with 12 security force members, 12 students, and three school staff members injured.

Education Minister Edouard Geffray emphasized that the situation is now more about urban violence attempting to hijack the original high school student movement, introducing violence into the discourse on school democracy. The French union representing high school students, the Union Syndicale Lyceenne, threatened a nationwide blockade of schools on Tuesday, when unions called for a day of walkouts by public servants.

The main union of French primary school teachers anticipates approximately 40% of teachers to be absent on Tuesday. The high school students' protests have gained a political dimension, with the presidential election approaching seven months later. The government faces opposition from the France Unbowed party, which has hijacked the blockades, according to Education Minister Edouard Geffray.

The city hall of the Paris suburb of Saint-Denis, run by LFI officials, defended the legitimacy of the students' demands.