Reaktion auf Proteste: Frankreich setzt kurzfristig 3.000 Vertretungslehrer ein

Following the ongoing student protests, French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has announced the deployment of over 3,000 temporary substitute teachers to address the severe shortage of educators at 114 gymnasiums. Education Minister Édouard Geffray detailed plans to utilize additional teachers at these schools between this Friday and next Tuesday.

Prime Minister Lecornu also reported that several hundred extra staff members will be hired to meet the schools' needs. Short-term replacements by teachers already working at schools are expected to begin after the autumn break. The government plans to introduce budget amendments to 2027 to implement certain student proposals, particularly regarding substitute teachers.

This marks the first time the government has directly addressed students' demands for better gymnasium facilities, more substitute teachers, and investments in education. Protesters have included students alongside youth since nearly two weeks ago, demonstrating for improved gymnasium conditions, more substitute teachers, and educational investments.

Demonstrations have continued throughout the days, with 71,500 people participating in recent protests. In Paris alone, 24,500 people took to the streets. Nationwide, 55,000 people engaged in protest and blockade actions at schools. While most demonstrations were peaceful, there were 504 arrests, 48 injured police officers, and increasing violence at protest edges.

The Inland Ministry reported rising disturbances near peaceful demonstrations, affecting school personnel and schools. A gymnasium in Poitiers had its fire set, targeting a teacher's car; Saint-Étienne saw intruders enter a gymnasium and ransack the cafeteria; Toulouse experienced an adult demonstrator assaulting a school principal, and Saint-Chamond saw a substitute principal suffer facial burns from fireworks.

Law enforcement and police stations were also targets, with arson attacks on a police car in Strasbourg and property damage at the La Rochelle police headquarters and a police station in Bordeaux.