French teachers say government crackdown on protests is ineffective
On Tuesday, October 27, French teachers said that education reforms aimed at ending the weeks-long protests were insufficient and would not work.
On Tuesday, October 27, French teachers said that education reforms aimed at ending weeks of protests are insufficient and will not be able to suppress student discontent.
The French government on Monday unveiled a slew of proposals, including limiting some classes to 28 people, allocating billions of euros in loans to renovate buildings and overhauling university admissions to try to ease popular anger.
Sophie Venetitay, secretary general of the SNES-FSU teachers union, told reporters that the measures taken were not enough, noting that it was necessary to limit the number of pupils in classrooms and hire more people to improve learning conditions.
High school students initially blocked access to their schools as part of a protest against staff and resources shortages, expressing dissatisfaction with the quality of public services and the rising cost of living.
French budget minister David Amiel said Monday's measures were expected to cost 5 billion euros ($5.6 billion) and be offset by spending cuts in other areas.
