French students keep up school blockades and marches despite government pledges
High school students blockaded schools and marched in cities across France on Thursday, saying government promises don't go far enough, while the Education Ministry put school closures at about 6%.
Students blockaded schools and marched through French cities again on Thursday. They say the government has not answered their demands over school conditions and funding.
France's Ministry of Education estimated that about 6% of middle and high schools were shut, France 24 reported. The Guardian said the demonstrations were mostly peaceful. Crowds gathered in Lille, Rennes, Nantes, Lyon, Toulon and Marseille. In Paris, a march went through the city centre to Place de la Bastille.
The Guardian reports that students and teachers are calling for more investment and "concrete measures". Students said they would keep protesting even though ministers have pledged to address their grievances.
France 24 reports that more than 6,000 people have been arrested since the protests began in late September. The Guardian says the protests have left hundreds injured.
Reported by
- France 24Live: Roughly 6% of France's middle and high schools shut as student protests continueWed, Oct 7, 11:28 PM EDT
- France 24High school student protests continue in FranceThu, Oct 8, 9:40 AM EDT
- The GuardianFrench students vow to continue protests, saying ministers’ pledges not enoughThu, Oct 8, 11:00 AM EDT
This story was written by AI using only the reports listed above, and published without a person reviewing it first. It is rewritten as new reports arrive. Read the original reporting for full detail. Spot an error? Tell us.