Why Are Students Protesting Across France? Escalating Unrest Closes Schools, Leaves Hundreds Injured

A 15-year-old boy lost his hand after picking up a police dispersal grenade during clashes between French high school protesters and law enforcement in the northern city of Lens. The incident occurred on Monday morning as student protests over deteriorating school conditions and staffing shortages continued across the country. According to François-Xavier Lauch, the prefect of Pas-de-Calais, the teenager sustained the injury when the grenade detonated near him. The boy was immediately transported to a nearby hospital, and officials confirmed his life was not in danger. The protests, which have entered their third week, involve students demanding improved educational resources, addressing overcrowded classrooms, and resolving chronic teacher shortages. Around 500 schools were partially or fully closed on Monday as the demonstrations intensified. The situation escalated in Lens when approximately 200 to 250 students gathered outside Auguste Béhal high school, throwing projectiles such as stones, fireworks, and mortars at police officers present at the scene. In response, riot police deployed to restore order, and the grenade explosion occurred in that context. Details surrounding the incident remain unclear. AFP news agency cited a police union source stating that the student likely picked up a sting-ball grenade fired by the police, which then exploded in his hand. However, a local resident near the scene, as reported by regional newspaper La Voix Du Nord, claimed the teenager did not touch the grenade. She stated she witnessed the event and insisted he did not pick it up or catch it. Lens Mayor Sylvain Robert acknowledged the need for further clarification regarding the circumstances leading to the injury. He noted that while he had seen footage of the aftermath, he had not observed the actual sequence of events involving either the police or the students. An investigation into the incident is underway, led by the French police watchdog, the General Inspection of the National Police (IGPN). The protests have drawn attention to widespread dissatisfaction among students concerning the state of French high schools. Issues include overcrowded classes, insufficient resources, and inadequate infrastructure. One student described the conditions as dire, noting that classrooms often lacked basic facilities, with extreme temperatures during summer and insufficient seating. Others highlighted the absence of essential staff, such as nurses and supervisors, exacerbating the challenges faced by students. Education Minister Edouard Geffray has expressed concern over the escalating unrest, acknowledging that the protests have resulted in injuries to both students and police personnel. Over 1,800 individuals are currently facing legal proceedings, with 1,483 of them being minors. Approximately 5,000 arrests have been made since the protests began, with the majority occurring in the past two weeks. Geffray has initiated discussions with education unions, student groups, and parent associations to address the concerns raised by students. He proposed a platform allowing students to submit suggestions for educational reforms, which will be assessed and incorporated into a national report. Despite these efforts, student organizations have continued to push for more substantial actions from the government, emphasizing the need for tangible solutions to the problems affecting the education system. The protests show no sign of subsiding, with plans for further demonstrations scheduled for the upcoming days. The situation highlights the deepening divide between students and authorities, as young people seek meaningful change in their educational environment.