What started as a strike over staff shortages in a high school in a Parisian suburb on September 17 has descended into violence across France after high school students joined their teachers on the picket lines. 

Now entering their third week, the nationwide protests have led to thousands of arrests and over 1,000 injuries, mostly among pupils. 

Rights groups, unions and students have accused authorities of using disproportionate force. 

Following an October 5 incident in which a teenage protester lost a hand after an officer threw a stun grenade at him, French police suspended the use of the devices, with President Emmanuel Macron calling an emergency meeting as violence escalates.

The unrest highlights deep-seated frustration with systemic issues in France’s education system, including teacher shortages, overcrowded classrooms, deteriorating infrastructure and regional inequality — compounded by proposed budget cuts.

"The education authority is not investing enough in the suburbs. It's classist and racist," said one student demonstrator. 

According to Education Ministry data, nearly 10% of classroom hours in public secondary schools went unstaffed during the 2024–2025 academic year.