Tens of thousands protesting in France over school conditions

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Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Author: Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date: Wed, 7 Oct 2026, 8:20pm

Since late September, pupils have barred the entrances to hundreds of schools, complaining of teacher absences, overloaded timetables, dilapidated classrooms and buildings ill-adapted to rising temperatures, among other grievances. Photo / Ed Jones, AFP

A quarter of a million demonstrators took to the streets across France - calling for better learning conditions in protests that descended into clashes with security forces.

Rights groups, unions, students and teachers have voiced disapproval with staffing levels, overloaded timetables, dilapidated classrooms and buildings that cannot cope with rising temperatures.

UK correspondent Gavin Grey says thousands of schools have been barricaded and police have had clashes with protestors amid the ongoing demonstrations.

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