Summary
Fires are burning across parts of France as riot police are responding to student protests over school conditions
Images from this afternoon show burning barricades in Pantin, bins set alight in Paris and crowds of protesters and riot police on the streets
More than 500 schools are facing disruption. At least 65 staff members have been injured in the unrest, the country’s education ministry says
The demonstrations – over a lack of teachers, overcrowded classrooms and run-down buildings – started earlier this week in Paris then spread across the country
“We are angry,” one 16-year-old in Paris tells the BBC, adding “a lot of noise” is needed to bring about change in French schools
France’s justice minister, Gerald Darmanin, says: “We have gone from high-school student demonstrations to a public order disturbance”
Some of the violence and damage has been truly shocking, with teenagers suffering eye injuries and one losing his teeth, writes our digital Europe editor
What to know as student protests sweep France
Thousands of students across France are continuing to protest across the country today over concerns about education standards.
If you’re just joining us, here’s what to know.
More than 500 schools are facing disruptions as a result of the demonstrations, with at least one school damaged by fire saying it will be closed to in-person learning until next month.
French authorities report that at least 65 staff members and 305 police officers have been injured during the unrest, with nearly 2,000 people arrested.
Verified footage shows violence and disorder breaking out in France’s second-largest city, Marseille. The BBC has confirmed that a video circulating on social media shows a fire engine being attacked outside a school.
As the demonstrations continue, our Europe editor writes that “the question has now become how to stop ‘unbridled violence’ as much as deal with high-school shortages.”
We’re continuing to follow the situation – stay with us here for updates.
Education minister sets out details on consultation for students
Manon Prat
Reporting from Paris
France’s education minister, Édouard Geffray, has set out the details of a consultation platform proposed to students.
During a meeting with teachers’ trade unions on Friday morning, Geffray stated that the consultation platform will go live next Monday.
Two questions will be asked:
- What difficulties are you facing?
- What are your expectations?
Students will have three weeks to respond before a phase of analysis and discussions, following the All Saints’ Day holidays.
This feedback phase will take place alongside the budget debates in the National Assembly.
‘We’re not here to be nice but we don’t want chaos,’ says Parisian student
Marianne Baisnée
Reporting from Paris
A student who identified himself to journalists by the pseudonym Jean is attending the final year of high school in Paris.
The 17-year-old says he and his classmates don’t want schools to burn – they just want education to be “better”.
“I think France is one of the worst European countries when it comes to education. We’ve decided that’s enough,” he tells the BBC.
He says anyone causing damage “has got nothing to do with us” and “are not helping” deliver the change students are demanding.
“We’re not here to be nice but we don’t want chaos,” he adds. “We just want our voice to be heard by the government.”
