France's School Protests: Lecornu Understands the Anger, the Money Less So

French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu addressed protesting students in a televised speech on Wednesday evening. For weeks they have been blockading schools over overcrowded classes, missing teachers and crumbling buildings. Lecornu said the government was not indifferent to their demands and promised a plan by the end of October: more substitute teachers, building repairs, revised timetables. He ruled out a major rise in education spending. Unions want an extra €10 billion; the budget offers €1.2 billion.

The toll of the protests is grim. Hundreds of students, police officers and teachers have been injured and more than 6,500 people arrested, most of them minors. After a 15-year-old reportedly lost a hand, the government suspended the use of stun grenades at school protests. Lecornu denied that police had been ordered to confront students.

The state can arrest 6,500 teenagers in a matter of weeks. For a working radiator in a classroom it needs a plan by the end of October.

On Thursday Education Minister Édouard Geffray announced 3,000 extra teachers "within the next hours". Students remained sceptical and called another day of action for 13 October. Politicians love to call education the most important investment in the future. The future would now like to know why its school toilets have been out of order for years.