PARIS, October 9. /TASS/. The unrest linked to high school student protests in France has caused "at least €30 million" in damage, AFP reported, citing the French Education Ministry.
A source confirmed the estimated damage to the news agency, based on reports from regional authorities. Officials have registered "a clear decline in the intensity" of demonstrations for several days now. The protests have become more localized of late, "either because of local politicization or amid actual problems in the areas concerned."
Of the 141 education establishments closed this Friday, most are in the capital region of Ile-de-France, as well as in northern and western France and the outskirts of Lyon.
High school student protests broke out in the capital region of Ile-de-France in late September and have since spread across the country. Demonstrators are protesting against overloaded schedules, teacher shortages and other problems facing the education system. In some areas, protests escalated into unrest and clashes with police. Law enforcement officers have so far detained almost 6,900 people, 86% of them minors.
