World
FRANCIA Sébastien Lecornu cites possible internal complicity after attacks on high schools, drawing union backlash
The French government toughened its rhetoric over violence in schools. Unions rejected the prime minister’s remarks and warned they could further inflame an already tense situation.
The French government has sharpened its response to a rise in violence in high schools, including mortar fire inside school buildings, arson and assaults on principals. In that context, Sébastien Lecornu said that in a very small minority of high schools there is organized planning behind the violence and that anyone acting as an accomplice, even passively, would also face consequences.
According to France Info, the prime minister said such possible complicity could involve members of the national education workforce and warned that action could be taken either through the courts or through disciplinary procedures.
France Info also reported that on Thursday, November 12, two high schools in Montpellier were hit by fire outbreaks.
The remarks triggered a strong reaction from unions. Sophie Vénétitay, general secretary of SNES-FSU, argued that the prime minister was fueling tensions and said blaming teachers amounted to deflecting from the government’s own responsibilities, according to France Info.
Le Monde reported that education unions, while stressing their duty of neutrality, also accused Lecornu of worsening an already strained climate. Although they condemned the violence, they warned that such statements could cast suspicion on the broader education workforce.
Sources
About this piece. Written by El Notero with AI assistance, from reporting published by the outlet cited above. El Notero did no original reporting on this story.
