PARIS, October 6. /Dunyo IA/. Mass protests by school and university students in France, which began in late September, have escalated into clashes with police amid growing dissatisfaction with the state of the education system and learning conditions, reports Dunyo IA correspondent, citing France 24.

Today, demonstrations took place in more than 30 cities across the country. According to the French Interior Ministry, around 86,000 people took part, including 40,000 in Paris.

The protesters’ main demands concern teacher shortages, excessive workloads for students, long school days and the poor condition of school infrastructure. Student unions are calling for additional places at universities, 10 billion euros in emergency funding to renovate schools and a large-scale recruitment of teachers.

Amid the protests, clashes with police were reported in several cities. In Strasbourg, demonstrators threw firecrackers at law enforcement officers, while police used water cannons in Rennes. According to authorities, more than 200 young people, as well as dozens of teachers and police officers, have been injured during the unrest, while more than 5,000 people have been detained.

Some parents have also joined the protests, expressing concern, in particular, about excessively long school days, which in some cases can last up to 10 hours.

The government is seeking to ease tensions. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has instructed ministers to address teacher shortages, school hours and the condition of school buildings, while the Ministry of Education has launched consultations with high school students. The first proposals for education reforms are expected to be presented by the end of October.