France Erupts in Massive Student Protests; Education Crisis Fuels Nationwide Unrest

France is facing its biggest student unrest in decades, with more than 5,000 people detained and hundreds of schools disrupted as anger over the country’s struggling education system spreads nationwide.

What began on September 21 as a small protest by students and teachers over staff shortages has rapidly grown into a national movement. Students are protesting overcrowded classrooms, staff shortages, poor facilities and years of funding cuts.

More than 100 high schools have reportedly been damaged, while clashes with police have left students, teachers and officers injured. The unrest has also sparked a political battle between the far left and far right.

The government has promised measures to address students’ concerns, but protesters say the response has been slow and focused too heavily on repression.

Thousands are expected to take to the streets across France on Tuesday, putting the government under fresh pressure.

At the heart of the movement, students say they are asking for nothing extraordinary just an education system that allows them to learn.