French students protest plans of cuts in education

French president Nicholas Sarkozy has launched new education reforms in an attempt to slash public spending. But the cuts in teaching posts have led to student protests in Paris. Here's more.

Schooled in the French tradition of mass demonstration, students thronged to the center of Paris once again to protest government plans to cut back on teachers.

More than 8,000 teaching posts are to go in the next school year - teachers to bear the brunt of a cost-saving drive that'll shrink the national education system by more than 11,000 jobs.

The students say the government is playing fast and loose with their futures.

[Florent Lecoultre, Student Union Leader]:
"These cuts will mean more overcrowded classrooms...35 students in each class. It will be a common practice, we will have no options."

The government says student numbers have declined by 145,000 over the past three years and what's more, France spends 22 percent more on each student than the average spend for developed countries.

Riot police were out in force to ensure calm at this the seventh rally against the cuts in the past few weeks.
Scuffles broke out between rival student groups at a Paris rally two days ago. Police ended up firing tear gas at the students after they were pelted with bottles and rocks.

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