French government pledges €4bn to fix school buildings as protests continue

French authorities will give €4bn to regional authorities to begin repairs of school buildings after student protests highlighted their poor condition. The education minister, Édouard Geffray, said some schools were so dilapidated they were “not fit” for teaching. The government has also promised to cap some class sizes and review the university application system in an effort to address the demands of the biggest youth protest movement in years. These measures came after more than five weeks of high school blockades, which began in September and have been joined by trade unions and cost-of-living protesters in regular mass street demonstrations on Saturdays. Students had demanded an end to teacher and staff shortages and for repairs to school buildings that had collapsing ceilings, mould, broken toilets, a lack of chairs and windows that did not shut.

The government loan of €4bn will be given to regional authorities to begin repairs of school buildings. The education minister said some schools were so dilapidated they were “not fit” for teaching. The government has also promised to cap some class sizes and review the university application system in an effort to address the demands of the biggest youth protest movement in years. These measures came after more than five weeks of high school blockades, which began in September and have been joined by trade unions and cost-of-living protesters in regular mass street demonstrations on Saturdays. Students had demanded an end to teacher and staff shortages and for repairs to school buildings that had collapsing ceilings, mould, broken toilets, a lack of chairs and windows that did not shut.

The education minister, Édouard Geffray, said some schools were so dilapidated they were “not fit” for teaching. The government will give €4bn to regional authorities to begin repairs of school buildings. The government has also promised to cap some class sizes and review the university application system in an effort to address the demands of the biggest youth protest movement in years. These measures came after more than five weeks of high school blockades, which began in September and have been joined by trade unions and cost-of-living protesters in regular mass street demonstrations on Saturdays. Students had demanded an end to teacher and staff shortages and for repairs to school buildings that had collapsing ceilings, mould, broken toilets, a lack of chairs and windows that did not shut.

The education minister, Édouard Geffray, said some schools were so dilapidated they were “not fit” for teaching. The government will give €4bn to regional authorities to begin repairs of school buildings. The government has also promised to cap some class sizes and review the university application system in an effort to address the demands of the biggest youth protest movement in years. These measures came after more than five weeks of high school blockades, which began in September and have been joined by trade unions and cost-of-living protesters in regular mass street demonstrations on Saturdays. Students had demanded an end to teacher and staff shortages and for repairs to school buildings that had collapsing ceilings, mould, broken toilets, a lack of chairs and windows that did not shut.