Swedish activist Greta Thunberg joined protests by high school students in France as the country prepared for another day of national mobilization against problems in the education system.
“Our future is being stolen,” Thunberg, 23, told reporters outside the Lycée Paul Éluard high school in Saint-Denis, a suburb of Paris.
Internationally known since her teens for her protests against climate change and school strikes, the activist said that young people are not being sufficiently involved in discussions about the issues that determine their future.
“Young people are not being included in the talks,” she said, adding that schools are not receiving the necessary investments.
Teacher shortages and dilapidated schools at the center of protests
The protests have entered their third week and are supported by unions, some teachers, and radical left-wing opposition politicians.
Students protest the chronic shortage of teachers, overcrowding in classrooms, and the dilapidated state of school buildings. They demand public investment to improve teaching and learning conditions.
According to data from the French Interior Ministry, last Tuesday’s protests gathered more than 260 people across the country, while on Thursday around 75 protesters participated.
More rallies are planned for Tuesday in several major cities, including Paris. Meanwhile, students have again blocked the entrances to high schools in the capital, Marseille and other cities.
University students have also joined the movement in solidarity. The UE student union declared on social media that, since the authorities are not listening to them, the protesters are going directly to them.
Clashes with Police and Accusations of Excessive Use of Force
The protests have been accompanied by violent clashes between demonstrators and police, while accusations have been raised of disproportionate use of force against young people.
Outside the school in Saint-Denis, lawyers dressed in their robes formed a human chain to protect students, following reports of incidents and allegations of police violence.
According to data cited by French authorities, more than 6.800 people, mostly minors, have been detained during the protests. Around 1.500 people are being prosecuted, while the Justice Ministry has announced that 24 allegations of police violence are being investigated.
The reported toll includes more than 200 teenagers, 100 school employees, and 700 police officers injured.
Some of the cases have been particularly serious. A young protester lost an arm after a stun grenade used by police exploded, while two others suffered serious injuries: one lost sight in one eye, and another lost several teeth after being hit by a tear gas canister fired at close range.
Following the stun grenade incident, the government banned the use of these devices during protests. Human rights organizations and students have accused the police of excessive use of force.
Government promises substitute teachers, but protests continue
French Education Minister Édouard Geffray announced that 3.000 substitute teachers are being hired in schools with the most severe staff shortages.
He said about 200 of the country’s 3.700 high schools were expected to close completely on Tuesday. However, French media reported that many other schools had canceled or suspended at least some classes, while some institutions had switched to online learning partially or completely.
Authorities had hoped the protests would subside during the two-week school holidays that begin this weekend. However, the continued mobilization and involvement of university students show that discontent remains high.
French President Emmanuel Macron called for restraint on Monday, stating that problems require time, consultation, discussion and respect.
Protests also take on a political dimension
The education crisis is unfolding in a tense political climate, about six months before the presidential elections that will follow Macron’s term.
Politicians from different sides are trying to exploit the discontent to support their positions. Marine Le Pen, of the far right, has pointed out the damage to schools and proposed that the costs of repairs be covered by parents. While Jean-Luc Mélenchon, of the radical left, has welcomed the protesters and condemned police violence.
Beyond the political clash, students’ demands focus on education funding, staff shortages, and the physical condition of schools.