A 15-year-old student suffered a severe injury in Lens as nationwide protests over poor school conditions entered their third week.
Web Desk: A 15-year-old student suffered a severe injury and lost his hand during school protests in the northern French town of Lens on Monday, as demonstrations over deteriorating classroom conditions entered their third week.
The teenager was injured after picking up a police stun grenade that subsequently exploded. The report said he lost his hand and part of his lower arm.
Local prefect François-Xavier Lauch confirmed that the teenager had suffered the serious injury and said an official investigation had been opened into the incident. Reuters reported that the prefect’s confirmation did not independently establish the newspaper’s account of how the grenade came into the teenager’s possession.
School protests spread across France
The incident occurred as high school students across France continued demonstrations demanding improved school infrastructure, more teachers and better classroom conditions.
The protests began in the Paris region before spreading to cities across the country. Hundreds of schools have been closed or partially disrupted, while clashes between students and police have resulted in injuries and arrests.
Students have cited overcrowded classrooms, teacher shortages and deteriorating school buildings among their main grievances.
National demonstration expected
The latest incident comes one day before a nationwide student demonstration planned by pupils’ unions.
Authorities are concerned that the protests could become more violent following several days of clashes between demonstrators and police.
Reuters reported that thousands of people, mostly teenagers, had been arrested since the protests began, while numerous students, teachers, police officers and members of the public have been injured.
Dispute over education funding
The protests have also been fuelled by concerns over government spending on education.
France’s draft 2027 budget proposes a 1.7% increase in education funding, taking the budget to around €65.53 billion, excluding teacher pensions. Critics argue that the increase is below the rate of inflation and does not adequately address staffing and infrastructure problems.
The government has defended its education spending while acknowledging difficulties facing schools.
Investigation underway
The circumstances surrounding the Lens incident remain under investigation.
Authorities have not publicly established all details of how the teenager came into contact with the grenade. The account that he picked up a police stun grenade comes from local media reporting and has been reported by Reuters, while the local prefect has confirmed the injury and investigation.
The incident has added to concerns about the safety of minors amid increasingly tense demonstrations across France.
