France

400 French Schools Shut Down as Violent Student Protests Continue

Is this the predictable result of years of austerity or are protests wrecking the very schools they claim to defend?

12 hours ago·Updated 25 minutes ago

400 French Schools Shut Down as Violent Student Protests Continue

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Above: French students set fires as they clash with police during a march in Aubervilliers, France, on Oct. 1. Image credit: Tom Nicholson/Getty Images

The Spin

Government-critical narrative

Crumbling classrooms, absent teachers and endless budget cuts have finally pushed students past the breaking point, so nobody can pretend this anger is spontaneous. Austerity imposed from the top always lands on the youngest and most powerless. A government that can't provide adequate educational facilities has no business lecturing anyone about discipline.

Alberto Alemanno on X

Pro-government narrative

Torching buildings and injuring dozens of school staff members has nothing to do with defending public education. The safety of students and the adults who teach them outweighs any slogan, and keeping campuses open while arson spreads would be reckless. Remote classes will keep learning going until the violence stops.

Édouard Geffray on X