What happened
Violent protests have erupted in France, with students demanding better classroom conditions and clashing with riot police. The demonstrations, which have been ongoing for weeks, have resulted in thousands of arrests and injuries to both police officers and teenagers.
The issues behind the protests have been building for years, with a notable fertility spike in 2010 leading to an influx of students in the school system. However, the country has struggled to cope with the increased demand, with budget cuts leading to a shortage of teachers and resources.
Class sizes have swelled, with 70% of classrooms having more than 30 pupils and 20% having more than 35. The lack of staffing and resources, combined with dilapidated school facilities, has led to widespread discontent among students and teachers.
The protests began at the Saint-Exupéry high school outside Paris, where students and teachers held a demonstration to demand increased staffing. The event sparked similar protests at hundreds of other schools, with students, unions, and teachers calling for better learning conditions.
The situation has escalated, with violent clashes between protesters and police, and shocking incidents such as a 15-year-old student losing a hand after picking up a police grenade. At least 6,100 people have been arrested, and over 900 police officers and teenagers have been injured.
