French student protests intensify as 71,500 demonstrators gather in Paris, with clashes between protesters and police at the Bastille Square. The protests, part of a broader movement demanding better education funding, have seen over 6,600 arrests since September.
Students and teachers marched through cities across France, with protesters in Paris using trash bins to block schools and facing tear gas and batons from police. The education minister announced 3,000 substitute teachers will be deployed to high schools within days to address teacher shortages.
The government has pledged to address the protests with 'concrete, quick, and fully funded responses' by October, but student leaders say more action is needed. Protests continue despite police using excessive force, with some demonstrators calling the government's response insufficient.
Students and unions argue that the protests, which have disrupted schools and led to arrests, require sustained action until concrete measures are implemented, with some demanding €10bn in investment for France's education system.