The French government has called for stricter disciplinary measures and increased police intervention against students and education staff involved in high school blockades, as nationwide protests over deteriorating educational conditions continue.
According to French broadcaster BFMTV, a joint directive issued by the interior and education ministers instructs regional education officials and prefects to adopt tougher and more consistent sanctions against those involved in disruptive activities at schools.
The directive calls for police officers to be deployed outside schools experiencing blockades from the early morning and urges authorities to “systematically arrest troublemakers.”
School principals have also been encouraged to pursue civil claims in cases involving damage to school property.
“Restoring a calm atmosphere is an absolute priority,” the ministers stated, emphasising the government’s responsibility to ensure that students can attend classes and prepare for examinations in appropriate conditions.
The measures come amid a wave of high school demonstrations that began across France in mid-September, with students protesting teacher shortages, overcrowded classrooms, deteriorating school buildings and inadequate educational resources.
Protesters have raised concerns about the impact of these conditions on the quality of education, demanding improvements in staffing, infrastructure and classroom facilities.
Although many of the demonstrations and school blockades have remained peaceful, some have escalated into confrontations involving vandalism and clashes that left students and education staff injured.
The government has expressed concern about the disruption caused by the blockades, particularly their impact on students’ ability to attend lessons and prepare for examinations.
Authorities are also preparing for another round of demonstrations on Saturday, with an estimated 30,000 to 60,000 protesters expected to gather in Paris.
Interior Minister Laurent Nunez announced that approximately 70,000 police officers and gendarmes would be deployed across France to maintain public order during the anticipated protests.
The extensive security deployment reflects government preparations for potentially large gatherings as demonstrations continue in different parts of the country.
Meanwhile, the SNPDEN-Unsa union, which represents school leadership personnel, has called on principals to assemble outside their institutions to protest violence affecting educational establishments.
The union’s appeal comes amid growing concerns about the safety of students, teachers and school administrators during confrontations associated with the blockades.
The government’s latest directive signals a tougher approach to school disruptions, even as the underlying grievances over staffing shortages, overcrowding and insufficient resources remain central to the continuing protests.