PARIS, Oct 1 (Bernama-dpa) — French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu on Thursday called a crisis meeting as growing student protests over conditions in schools spread across the country and in some cases turned violent, reported German news agency dpa.
Several ministers are expected to discuss the situation at France’s secondary schools after days of protests demanding more funding and staff.
More than 600 people were arrested on Wednesday alone on allegations including arson and attacks on police officers.
The protests spread to universities on Thursday morning, with blockades reported at around 30 campuses, according to the Union Étudiante student union.
Elsewhere on Thursday, many school students demonstrated peacefully over dilapidated buildings, overcrowded classrooms and teacher shortages, while violence and vandalism were reported in other areas.
Rubbish bins were set alight and firecrackers thrown, while the entrance hall of a secondary school in the western city of Nantes was set on fire.
Media also reported attacks on buses and bus stops. Police used tear gas against demonstrators in some locations.
–BERNAMA-dpa
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