French students block schools as strike looms
French students blocked dozens of high schools and universities on Tuesday, 3 Nov, to pressure the government over education reforms. Authorities counted 48 of the country's 3,700 high schools blocked, including in Paris, Rennes, Toulouse and Lyon, while the student union USL put the figure at 500 establishments. Officials said 51 of 184 higher education institutions were disrupted. Trade unions have called a nationwide strike for Thursday. The protests follow a wider movement against rising prices and weak public services that has drawn hundreds of thousands onto the streets over three weekends.
Key facts
- Education minister Edouard Geffray offered to cap class sizes at 28 and dedicate €4 billion to renovating schools.
- Geffray said protests are allowed but preventing access to schools is illegal.
- The USL union denounced heavy-handed tactics, with riot police deployed outside schools.
- Student representatives said the government's offers were not enough and they would keep protesting.
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Why it matters
The school blockades add to a broader national movement that could affect schools and transport across France later this week.
What changed
First published from Hindustan Times, CNA, The Hindu, The Straits Times and Anadolu Agency