Teachers in France strike over COVID-19 health and safety protocols

A nationwide strike took place in schools across France on Thursday as teachers and staff demonstrated against the government’s management of COVID-19 protocols.

A nationwide strike took place in schools across France on Thursday as teachers and other school staff demonstrated against the government’s management of COVID-19 protocols in schools.

Teachers, other school staff and parents in the country have been complaining for months, saying the health protocols in schools are confusing and continually changing. The government changed the rules twice for schools in the past week.

They argued that they are facing the crisis with inapplicable measures, a growing work overload, teachers not being replaced when sick, no additional resources or staff to alleviate the issues and a lack of transparency from the education minister.

Teachers unions had called for a walkout to denounce the "indescribable mess" in schools as COVID-19 cases have surged and pharmacies have reported shortages of self-test kits since the beginning of the year.