PARIS – Protests by teenagers outside their schools have shaken France in recent days, with students blockading entrances to their institutions and security forces on occasion responding with tear gas.

The government has said that while the grievances may be legitimate, violence is not and has accused the hard-left of whipping up the movement.

Critics have meanwhile accused some police of heavy-handed force against protesters, who are legally still children.

More than 5,000 people have been arrested since Sept 28, according to the interior ministry, while about 735 educational establishments were affected on Oct 2, the education minister said.

While the weekend may see a lull, a major new day of protest is planned for Oct 6.

AFP looks at the origins of the movement.

Multiple grievances

The protests affect lycees, the schools where French teens have their last years of school aged from 15-18, the equivalent of high school in the United States and sixth form in the United Kingdom.

The students’ grievances are numerous, but chief among them are teacher absences, conditions in classrooms, overloaded school timetables and a school day that can be as long as 8am to 6pm, which some say is excessive.

“High-school students – particularly those from low-income neighbourhoods – feel they are receiving an inferior education,” said French sociologist Valerie Becquet.

Origin of the movement

The movement began two weeks ago on Sept 17 at the Saint-Exupery high school in the Paris suburb of Creteil, in support of teachers striking over a lack of staff and resources.

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