France: One million strike in defence of education and social services

In many places high school students headed the protests, the culmination of two months of mobilisations against government attacks on education. However, the two main high school unionsthe UNL (National Union of High School Students) and the FIDL (Independent Democratic Federation of High School Students)have called off further action this school year. They have claimed as a victory, however, Education Minister Xavier Darcoss offer of 1,500 low-paid, untrained teaching assistants in 200 of the most under-achieving high schools. He has made no retreat on the 11,200 planned cuts in teaching posts.

Around 60,000 marched in Paris; 30,000 each in Marseille and Rennes; and 15,000 in Toulouse. In Lyon and Bordeaux, 10,000 protestors were present. In Strasbourg, Lille, Le Havre and Perpignan more than 5,000 people took to the streets. The public sector workers were mobilised to denounce the dismantling of public services. In Amiens, 3.000 workers and students marched behind the call for quality public services and more purchasing power. High school banners denounced inequality in education.