Solidarity with high school students in France

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The National Union of School Students (NUSS UK) stands in full solidarity with the French High School students who have taken to the streets to protest about the overworked, underfunded education system and have been met with violence from the police.

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Here in the UK, sixth form and secondary school students understand the struggles that French students are fighting against. We know what it’s like to sit in overcrowded classrooms, learn in crumbling, old school buildings and to have our education suffer because of a severe shortage of educators and funding.

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The crisis in French schools - actively being worsened through cash-strapped government officials prioritising budget restrictions over youth development - mirrors the struggles British students also face with our underfunded education sector. The message of students from both sides of the English Channel is clear: education is a fundamental right, not an area for governmental cutbacks! 

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NUSS UK condemns the violent actions of the police in response to the protesting of the students. The mass arrests, use of tear gas, rubber bullets and stun grenades against minors in a peaceful blockade is inhumane and an egregious attack on the democratic process and human rights they claim to protect. Governments must listen to the legitimate grievances of school students - they should not be meeting the voices of children with violence. 

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We applaud the bravery of French student leaders who have forced the hand of their government to look at negotiations and concessions, such as hiring 3000 additional teachers. 

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Youth-led action and media pressure like this shows the power that NUSS could have in the UK for students to make change on the issues that matter to us.

We urge UK student councils and students’ unions to: 

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• Pass motions of support and visibly back French students
• Educate and discuss the importance of student political engagement in assemblies and tutor groups.
• Be ready to resist marketisation of the public sectors here at home