French school protests spread nationwide as Trump links unrest to Islam and migration

Public anger has erupted in France over the worsening state of the education system and cuts to school funding. The movement, which began with a demand that schools be properly funded and standards of teaching improved, has now spread across the country. It initially involved only schoolchildren, but teachers, college students and parents have now joined in large numbers.

On Tuesday, more than 266,000 people took to the streets across France. Traffic and schooling were both brought to a halt nationwide. It is also being said that the protest is entering its third week. Demonstrators were particularly aggressive in major cities including Paris, Marseille, Nantes, Toulouse, Strasbourg, Lyon and Rennes. Fires were lit on the streets, stones were thrown at government buildings and public property was damaged.

French police had to use tear gas shells and baton charges to disperse crowds and bring the situation under control. The action angered protesters further, and there were direct clashes with police in several places. For safety, the administration has shut more than 2,000 schools across the country, while classes at more than 1,000 schools are being held online. A statement linked to the movement said around 900 schools had been affected and more than 6,100 people had been arrested, most of them minors. High school students are demanding action on a shortage of teachers, overcrowded classrooms and deteriorating buildings.

Meanwhile, former US President Donald Trump has stirred international debate by commenting on the protests. In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, he directly linked the violence in France to illegal migration and demographic imbalance. According to Trump, what is happening in France has nothing to do with students or the education system. He said: "What is happening in France is the direct result of uncontrolled, mass migration. This is no longer just a question of schools or education, but an attempt by Islam to seize a once-great country."

Trump further alleged that Islamic forces want to remove France's democratic system and establish their dominance over the country, and that the protests are part of that conspiracy. His statement has caused a stir in international politics, and sharp reactions are coming in from around the world.

The protests have become a major challenge for the French government. It must stop the violence on the streets while also getting the stalled education system back on track. The government has signalled readiness to hold talks with student and teacher organisations, but for now the protesters are not willing to talk. They allege that basic educational facilities have deteriorated and schools are short of staff. They say they will not call off the movement until the government clearly announces an increase in the education budget. With Trump's remarks lending the protests a political and religious colour, the French government is under heavy pressure from both inside and outside the country.