Schools closed in France as students clash with police
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READING:
Thousands of students across France have taken to the streets to protest against the state of French schools. They have clashed with riot police in violent protests. There are reports that police used tear gas against some demonstrators. The student action began in high schools near Paris in late September and quickly spread nationwide. France's Education Ministry has reported that more than 1,020 high schools have been affected by protests or strikes. This is roughly one in four high schools. The country's interior minister reported that around 5,000 people had been arrested in the past week. He said the majority of them were teenagers. At least 65 school staff have also been injured.
The students' main concerns are what they perceive as poor conditions in high schools. They are angry about a lack of teachers, overcrowded classrooms, inadequate facilities, and dilapidated school buildings. One 15-year-old student said: "There are 35 pupils per class. We don't even have enough chairs." Students are calling for greater investment in education after what they see as years of underinvestment. In particular, they want more spending on schools in poorer suburbs. Students say schools in deprived areas of Paris receive fewer resources despite greater educational needs. The education minister said there would be "concrete responses" from the government.
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