French student loses hand as school protests enter third week

A 15-year-old student lost his hand during clashes between high-school protesters and riot police in northern France on Monday as nationwide demonstrations over poor school conditions entered their third week.

The teenager lost his hand and part of his lower arm in the town of Lens, according to regional newspaper La Voix du Nord, which reported that he had picked up a police dispersal grenade before it detonated.

François-Xavier Lauch, prefect of Pas-de-Calais, confirmed the incident but declined to comment on the exact circumstances. He said between 200 and 250 protesters had been throwing objects at police.

Reuters later reported that an investigation into the incident had been opened.

The injury came a day before a national demonstration called by France’s pupils’ union over complaints including underfunding, overcrowded classrooms, teacher shortages and deteriorating school buildings.

The protests, which began in Paris in September, have spread across the country, forcing hundreds of schools to close or suspend classes.

Education Minister Edouard Geffray said between 400 and 500 of France’s 3,700 high schools were expected to be closed or partially closed ahead of Tuesday’s nationwide demonstrations.

He said 24 schools had been burned or ransacked, while 78 teaching staff and at least 190 students had been injured during the unrest.

Government spokesperson Maud Bregeon said, “Our priority is to restore ‌order,” as authorities prepared for another day of demonstrations.

The government has accused hard-left France Unbowed (LFI) lawmakers and mayors of encouraging or exploiting the protests, allegations the party has rejected.

LFI, led by presidential candidate Jean-Luc Melenchon, has denied encouraging violence and accused the government of politicising the demonstrations while failing to adequately address students’ concerns.

Rights groups have also accused French police of using excessive force against minors, including batons, tear gas and rubber-bullet weapons.

Authorities are investigating the case of a 16-year-old student who suffered an eye injury after police allegedly fired rubber bullets into a crowd, according to his friends. The Interior Ministry had not immediately responded to a request for comment on the allegation.

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France’s Justice Ministry said 5,060 people had been arrested since the protests began, with 87 per cent of those arrested being minors. More than 1,800 people were being prosecuted, including 1,483 minors, while 790 cases had been dismissed.

The unrest has also created political and economic pressure for the French government as it seeks to reduce the country’s budget deficit. Concerns over France’s finances recently pushed the yield on its 10-year bonds above 5 per cent, its highest level in 24 years.

On Monday, clashes were reported in Lille, while tear gas was used in Toulouse and a fire was started during an attempted break-in at a school in Paris.

Student protester Sami Karen, 18, said the demonstrations would continue until the government responded to their demands.

“We’re going to keep blocking until the government hears us,” he said. “As long as they don’t listen to us, we won’t stop this fight.”

With another nationwide demonstration scheduled for Tuesday, French authorities are bracing for further clashes as students and police remain locked in a confrontation over the state of the country’s education system.

(Reuters)