Teacher doused in petrol, schools set ablaze: How France student protests spiralled into riots

France is facing a major wave of student-led unrest as protests over overcrowded classrooms, teacher shortages and crumbling schools have merged with public-sector strikes. The demonstrations have escalated into riots, arson and clashes with police, putting the government’s €54 billion austerity budget under pressureWhat began late last month as localised walkouts over dilapidated classrooms, severe teacher shortages, and unmanageable class sizes has now turned into wider public-sector labour strikes across France.