High-school demonstrations have spread across France as students demand more teachers, better-maintained buildings and additional educational resources.
Education Minister Édouard Geffray said 119 injuries involving students and school staff had been recorded since the protests began.
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said around 440 people were detained during Tuesday’s demonstrations, with most of those taken into custody reported to be minors.
Students have blockaded school entrances in Paris, Saint-Denis, Lille and other cities while drawing attention to overcrowded classrooms, staff shortages and stressful examinations.
Some protests have involved confrontations with police, fires outside school buildings and property damage, while other demonstrations have remained peaceful.
The movement coincided with industrial action by public-sector workers and added political pressure on the government ahead of the presentation of its 2027 budget proposals.
Government officials acknowledged that problems affecting schools must be addressed but criticised violence and accused political groups of attempting to exploit the demonstrations.
Sources: Reuters; Le Monde.
Featured photo: Mathurin Napoly/Unsplash.
Zeynep Aziz is a social-affairs specialist, writer and advocate with advanced academic qualifications in both Social Sciences and International Relations. Her multidisciplinary education has given her a strong understanding of society, public policy, human rights and the political forces shaping Turkey’s domestic and international development.
For many years, Zeynep has been actively engaged in social affairs and initiatives supporting the rights and well-being of Turkish citizens. Her work pays particular attention to social equality, democratic participation and the protection of vulnerable and disadvantaged communities.
Women’s rights remain central to her interests and advocacy. She works to raise awareness of the challenges faced by women in Turkey, including discrimination, violence, unequal opportunities and barriers to full participation in political, professional and social life. She strongly supports women’s empowerment, equal access to education and employment, and effective legal protection for women and girls.
Alongside her social work, Zeynep closely follows Turkey’s international relations and foreign policy. She takes a keen interest in Turkey’s relations with Europe, neighbouring countries and international institutions, as well as the impact of regional and global developments on Turkish society.
Through her writing and public engagement, Zeynep seeks to encourage informed discussion, strengthen respect for human rights and contribute to a fairer, more democratic and inclusive Turkey.
Zeynep Aziz
