French school protests spread as students demand action on teacher shortages

Student protests that began in and around Paris last week have spread to secondary schools across France, with student unions calling for a new round of demonstrations on 6 October. The movement's momentum may hinge on whether it gains traction in universities. Talks with Education Minister Édouard Geffray on Friday failed to yield concrete commitments, leaving student leaders disappointed. The minister reported 170 student injuries, over 100 schools with severe damage, and more than 5,000 arrests, mostly minors, while promising a new platform for grievances. Historian Stéphane Sirot notes the protests could follow the 2006 trajectory, when high school actions joined by universities forced the government to scrap a reform. University student unions and education trade unions plan to join the 6 October demonstrations, with protests also reported at around 100 middle schools.