French high school students resumed protests across the country on Thursday, with school entrances obstructed and marches held in several cities. Demonstrators said they would maintain pressure on the government, arguing that official assurances had not answered their demands for better-resourced schools and tangible improvements in learning conditions.
Large, largely peaceful crowds were reported in Lille, Rennes, Nantes, Lyon, Toulon and Marseille. In Paris, a march moved through the centre of the capital before reaching Place de la Bastille, according to The Guardian's report on the demonstrations.
The renewed action follows 10 days of protests that have left hundreds of people injured. Students and teachers have placed education funding at the centre of their campaign, calling for concrete government measures rather than broad commitments to address the grievances behind the mobilisation.
The demonstrations underline the challenge for ministers seeking to contain a movement that has spread beyond individual schools and cities. Government pledges have not, so far, persuaded organisers to suspend their action, with protesters signalling that their campaign will continue until they see changes reflected in policy and school conditions.