Paris Teachers Strike Over Planned Class Closures and Job Cuts

Educators and parents protest the closure of 198 primary school classes and the removal of support for school directors, citing worsening conditions for students and staff.

A large-scale strike in Paris saw 60% of primary school teachers participating, with 170 schools closed and over 1,000 people protesting outside the rectorate.
The planned closures of 198 classes and elimination of 110 teaching positions in Paris are attributed to a significant decline in student enrollment over the past decade.
Protesters argue that the closures and policy changes will worsen learning conditions, particularly for students with disabilities and those in overcrowded classrooms.
The government plans to end a long-standing policy that allows Paris school directors to focus on administrative duties instead of teaching, citing financial and legal challenges.
Critics, including parents and unions, claim these measures undermine public education while private schools in the city continue to thrive.