France is bracing for a nationwide day of action on Tuesday as pupil protests over school conditions and learning environments enter their second week.
Student representatives have called for rallies across the country.
In Paris, a demonstration is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. (1200 GMT) at the Place de la République. Protests are also planned in major cities including Lyon, Lille, Marseille, Toulouse, Bordeaux, Rennes and Strasbourg.
Several major education unions have backed the protests, with some also calling for a strike, potentially broadening the movement beyond pupils.
The protests have at times turned violent, with videos showing young people pushing, kicking and beating police officers.
On Monday, the case of a 15-year-old pupil who lost a hand after reportedly picking up a projectile that then exploded in Lens, northern France, caused widespread shock.
Police are said to have thrown the projectile into a group of protesting pupils. The police inspectorate general is investigating the riot police unit involved. According to a French broadcaster, the device was a non-lethal stun grenade.
The incident could further fuel protests already marked by serious violence.
Previous allegations of police brutality have also led to growing criticism of the use of police against young demonstrators.
On Sunday evening, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu called on ministries to introduce concrete improvements at schools across the country and to listen to pupils’ legitimate concerns.
Despite this, fresh protests took place on Monday at 589 schools.
(dpa/NAN)
