France Promises to Send 3,000 Substitute Teachers to Schools
French Education Minister Édouard Geffray has pledged to send 3,000 substitute teachers to the high schools with the worst staff shortages. The pledge responds to student protests that have drawn tens of thousands of people.
French Education Minister Édouard Geffray promised on Thursday to send 3,000 substitute teachers to the high schools that are short of staff the most. The pledge is the government's response to high school student protests across the country, in which tens of thousands of people have taken part.
Protests and clashes
Students have been blocking the entrances of hundreds of high schools for more than a week. At times the protests have turned into violent clashes with riot police.
The Interior Ministry said 71,500 people had taken part in protests nationwide, mostly outside their own schools. Police have detained more than 500 people.
What students are demanding
The protesters are lycée students, mostly aged 15 to 18. They are unhappy about a lack of teachers, overloaded timetables and worn-out classrooms. They also point out that school buildings are unsuited to lessons in extreme heat.
The minister's pledge
Trying to ease the students' anger, Geffray said in Thursday evening's news broadcasts that substitutes would be sent in the coming days to cover absent staff. The aim is to help 114 of the roughly 3,700 schools in the most difficult situation.
The source does not say whether the measures will satisfy the protesters or whether the blockades will continue.
