Nationwide demonstrations led by high school students concerning the state of education in France have extended to other regions of Europe in recent times.
In Albania, student organizers highlighted that the nationwide protest on Tuesday focused on university conditions, the financial burden of higher education, financial aid, and post-graduation job prospects. The protest in Tirana turned violent as demonstrators threw bricks and blocks at the Education Ministry, prompting the police to respond with tear gas and water cannons. Several protesters were detained by law enforcement.
Meanwhile, in France, high school students have been engaged in protests and school closures for weeks, advocating for increased teacher numbers and improved facilities. Over 161,000 individuals participated in demonstrations across major French cities, a decline from the previous week’s 266,000. While the majority of protesters marched peacefully, clashes erupted in cities like Paris, Lyon, Strasbourg, and Nantes, with riot police using tear gas and charging demonstrators. A small group of protesters resorted to vandalism and violence.
In Greece, university students gathered outside the Finance Ministry in Athens to protest against escalating rents and the lack of affordable student housing. Demonstrators set up tents at Syntagma Square near the parliament building during the protest.
