France has promised 3,000 additional supply teachers in the coming days, its first material concession to high-school students protesting over education resources.
Education minister Edouard Geffray announced the plan on Thursday evening after another day of demonstrations, some of them violent. The government says 6,877 people have been arrested since the protests began, 86% of them under 18.
Geffray said new ministry software would help send the teachers to about 500 high schools identified as most in need. He also announced more funding through an existing scheme for teachers willing to work overtime to cover staffing gaps.
About 71,000 people demonstrated across France on Thursday, including 24,000 at the Bastille in Paris. Police used tear gas to disperse groups that attacked them with paving stones and homemade fireworks. About 140 of France’s 3,500 high schools were fully or partly closed on Friday, fewer than on previous days. Another day of action has been called for Tuesday.
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