Violent protests in France over conditions in high schools

French high school students have taken to the streets, setting fires and throwing objects at police in a growing protest over conditions in education. Police responded by deploying tear gas to disperse the protesters. The students and their unions assert they are planning further demonstrations next week, citing inadequate government response to their demands.

The conflict escalated with reports of students lighting fires and attacking police, who in turn fired tear gas, leading to injuries among both sides. A teacher in La Ciotat was sprayed with petrol and assaulted by two individuals, and a youth in Tours lost his sight in one eye after being attacked by a group of youths. In response to the unrest, unions and student groups called for continued pressure on the government, pledging new rallies on the following Tuesday.

Ryad Rani, head of the USL high school union, expressed disappointment over the government's lack of concrete measures, stating, "What matters now is ensuring our children are no longer out on the streets because they are in danger." The protests, which began in Paris in September and have since spread nationwide, involve students in their final years of high school, alleging excessive school hours, inadequate conditions such as overheated classrooms, and frequent staff absences.

The unrest has had political implications as the country prepares for presidential elections, with 735 schools affected across the nation, a 30% decrease compared to the previous day. Three staff members were injured, down from 31 the day before, according to Education Minister Édouard Geffray. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez reported 1,747 arrests, including instances of projectiles being thrown and attacks on law enforcement, teachers, journalists, and passersby.

Both sides have accused each other of violent behavior, with students criticizing police repression and claiming to be merely seeking dialogue with the government. In Brest, police used tear gas against students throwing objects at them, while in Belfort, images emerged of youths surrounding a single police officer and kicking him.

Police in Paris responded to a damaged high school entrance by calling the fire brigade. Geffray disclosed that at least 65 school staff members, including 40 principals, and over 170 students have been injured since the protests began.