Student protests in France, initially sparked by teacher shortages and poor school conditions, have escalated into violence in recent days, leading to clashes with police. The demonstrations have now spread across the country.
Videos circulating on social media show protesters setting fire to trash cans and school buildings and clashing with riot police. In response, police have used tear gas to disperse the students.
The core grievances behind the protests include a lack of teachers, overcrowded classrooms, dilapidated school buildings, and a shortage of educational resources. These issues have fueled widespread discontent among students and their parents.
According to reports, thousands of people, mostly teenagers, have been arrested since the unrest began. On Friday, hundreds of high schools (lycées) across France were closed due to the ongoing violence.
The French government claims the protests have been hijacked. Following a crisis meeting, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, citing intelligence agencies, stated that the unrest was an "organized maneuver by the Unbowed France party and its hard-left affiliates."
In response, Jean-Luc Mélenchon, the leader of the Unbowed France party, dismissed these accusations as a "conspiracy theory." He and other party figures maintain that the student protests are spontaneous and a direct result of the dire conditions in schools.
Source: Media reports
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