Hundreds of schools in France were fully or partly closed on Monday as teenagers continued to blockade buildings, and the government struggled to contain the biggest youth protest movement in years. A 15-year-old protesting against what demonstrators call France’s dilapidated and understaffed schools had his hand blown off on Monday in the northern town of Lens, local prefect François-Xavier Lauch said. A local newspaper, La Voix du Nord, reported that the teenager lost his hand after picking up a police stun grenade. Lauch said an investigation into the incident had been opened.
French prime minister Sébastien Lecornu had earlier tried to calm the protests by calling schoolchildren’s grievances “legitimate” and saying the government must listen. Lecornu ordered ministers to address the students’ five main demands. These include arranging replacements for absent teachers, acknowledging that pupils in some areas miss months of teaching because of staff absences – even in key exam years. Lecornu also called for a review of France’s long school days, which are among the longest in Europe. The government will also look at repairing dilapidated school buildings. Children on blockades across France have described water leaking into classrooms during class, cockroaches, collapsing ceilings and unbearable heat in summer. Lecornu said ministers must come up with proposals by the end of the month.
Sophie Binet, head of the leftwing CGT trade union, said the government was late in offering to address the schoolchildren’s demands. She said the number of absent teachers who were not replaced had doubled in 10 years, and class sizes were at a record high. “Amid such anger, a few measures just for show aren’t going to satisfy demands,” Binet said. She called for the government to stop all budget cuts as well as cuts to teachers’ positions.
Student unions have called for a national day of protest on Tuesday, with more schools expected to be barricaded. Thousands of trade unionists, teachers, public sector workers and parents’ groups are expected to join support marches in cities and towns across France. Binet said trade unionists would march to ensure there was no violence on the edge of any protests on Tuesday, as she criticised heavy policing. “We’ve been appalled by what we have seen over the past 10 days and by the unprecedented crackdown that the government has organised against the protests by high school students,” she said.
University students continued to support the school protests on Monday, with up to 40 university buildings blockaded across France. Philippe Baptiste, the minister for higher education, told French radio he felt student and high school protests could intensify with the national protests on Tuesday. Between 400 and 500 high schools are expected to remain completely or partly closed on Monday out of a total of 3,700, the education minister said.
“Our priority is to restore order,” government spokesperson Maud Bregeon told CNews television on Monday. The protests began in late September at a high school in a Paris suburb over teacher shortages. The government was taken by surprise as protests then spread nationwide, amid anger at social inequality and a lack of investment in the education system. Since last Monday, about 5,000 people, mostly teenagers, have been arrested across France and dozens injured. The family of a 16-year-old school pupil in Tours has filed a complaint for police violence after he lost sight in his right eye. The state prosecutor said the boy’s injuries were in line with the impact from a police rubber bullet. A police investigation is under way. Teachers have also been injured. Damage to property is estimated in the tensof millions of euros.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of frequently asked questions based on the incident of a 15yearold schoolboy losing his hand after picking up a police stun grenade during protests in France
Beginner Questions
Q What exactly happened to the 15yearold boy
A During a school protest in France a police stun grenade landed near him When he picked it up it exploded in his hand causing him to lose his hand
Q What is a stun grenade
A A stun grenade also called a flashbang is a nonlethal weapon used by police It makes a loud bang and a bright flash to confuse and disorient people but it is not supposed to kill
Q Why were students protesting
A The protests were related to school issues in France Students were demonstrating against certain education policies or conditions
Q Is the boy okay now
A He survived but lost his hand He was taken to a hospital for emergency treatment and is recovering
Q Was anyone arrested or punished
A French authorities typically investigate such incidents Whether any police officer faced disciplinary action depends on the findings of the official investigation
Intermediate Questions
Q Why would a stun grenade cause someone to lose a hand
A Stun grenades contain a small explosive charge If someone holds one when it detonates the blast can tear through flesh and bone especially in a closed hand
Q Are stun grenades supposed to be nonlethal
A Yes they are classified as nonlethal or lesslethal weapons However they can still cause serious injury or death if used improperly or if someone picks one up
Q Could the police have prevented this
A Possibly Critics say police should not fire stun grenades directly at crowds or leave them where civilians especially children can pick them up Proper training and rules of engagement matter
Q What should you do if you see a stun grenade on the ground
A Do not touch it Move away immediately and warn others Even if it looks harmless it can still explode or be dangerous
Q What are common injuries from stun grenades
A Common injuries include burns hearing loss eye damage and hand injuries if someone picks one up In
