Paris, The Europe Today: The French government plans tougher disciplinary measures and more police at schools in response to high school blockades and disturbances. The plans are set out in a directive sent to regional education officials and prefects.
According to media reports, the joint instruction from the interior and education ministers calls for police officers to be posted outside schools facing blockades from early morning. It also urges authorities to “systematically arrest troublemakers.”
School principals have also been encouraged to file civil claims where school property is damaged.
“Restoring a calm atmosphere is an absolute priority,” the ministers said. They stressed that students must be able to attend classes and prepare for exams in proper conditions.
Nationwide Student Protests Since September
The measures follow high school protests across the country that began in mid-September. Students have been demonstrating over teacher shortages, overcrowded classrooms, run-down school buildings and a lack of educational resources.
Many of the blockades have been peaceful. Some protests, however, have involved vandalism and clashes, and students and school staff have been injured.
70,000 Police and Gendarmes for Saturday’s Protests
Authorities are also preparing for more demonstrations expected on Saturday, with between 30,000 and 60,000 protesters forecast to gather in Paris.
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said about 70,000 police officers and gendarmes would be deployed across France to keep order during the protests.
Meanwhile, the SNPDEN-Unsa union has called on school principals to gather outside their schools to protest against violence.
