More than 30,000 demonstrators marched across Paris today to
denounce the conservative government's budget restrictions,
job cuts and other controversial reforms in France's public
education system.
Teachers, students, parents and school administrators took to
the streets in the march behind a banner that read,
"Education is our future," and vowed to press on with their
effort in the coming weeks.
Organisers said around 80,000 people turned out for the
protest, while police put the figure at 32,000.
Emboldened by the turnout, the largest union of French
primary school teachers called for a national strike next
month, and that idea was expected to be discussed at a
meeting Wednesday of various education unions.
Protesters oppose 11,200 job cuts this school year from the
national education system and plans to reduce another 13,500
next year - part of broader reform plans aimed to cut costs
and state bureaucracy.
Many fear the job cuts will lead to overcrowded classes and
limit the number of subjects taught in schools. Some youths
clashed with police during a student protest over the issue
last spring.
Bookmark/Search this post with:
