Riot Police Clash with Students as French Education Protests Escalate

Riot police engaged in confrontations with demonstrators on Friday as thousands of students across France disrupted operations at more than 700 educational institutions. The protests, driven by grievances regarding teacher shortages, overcrowded classrooms, and deteriorating school infrastructure, have intensified since beginning in Paris last week and spreading to cities such as Montpellier, Nantes, and Marseille.

French Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin stated that the nature of the demonstrations had shifted from student advocacy into a broader public order disturbance. This assessment followed a severe incident in Belfort, north-eastern France, where a 17-year-old was arrested on suspicion of attempted homicide after a police officer was assaulted. BBC Verify authenticated footage showing the officer being chased, punched, and kicked near a school.

The Ministry of Education reported that at least 65 staff members have sustained injuries during the unrest. In the Paris suburb of Pantin, police executed arrests and charged at protesters after attendees threw projectiles. Meanwhile, tear gas was deployed in Strasbourg due to escalating tensions, and fires were ignited in rubbish bins in both Rennes and Paris.

Nelson Mandela high school in Nantes suffered over €2m (£1.7m) in damage after a fire destroyed its glass entrance and interior sections. Authorities also seized weapons from demonstrators, including petrol bombs, an axe, and homemade mortar fireworks. Despite the violence, some students expressed satisfaction with the shutdowns. Lola, a 16-year-old protester, told AFP that police using tear gas and force only increased their anger.

Education Minister Édouard Geffray accused the movement of being hijacked by outsiders, noting that teachers reported individuals at the front of marches were not their students. Parents have likewise expressed concern over the violence enveloping their children. In response to the property destruction, Darmanin announced that prosecutors were requested to hold parents financially liable for repairs made by their children.

Approximately 2,000 people, predominantly minors, have been taken into custody since the movement began. Major unions, including SNEP-FSU, SNUEP-FSU, and Solidaires, have voiced support for the students, with Solidaires declaring, “Let’s not let them fire on our children.” The unrest occurs at a politically sensitive time for President Emmanuel Macron, who faces a presidential election in six months and is grappling with planned budget cuts that affect education funding.