Why are French parents and teachers joining high school student blockades?

Student strikes over severe staff shortages have disrupted campuses nationwide, forcing officials to suspend classes in 891 high schools.

What started in the Paris region quickly spread across France, reaching classrooms in Rennes, with arson incidents in Bordeaux and a fire attack in Marseille.

Outside barricaded schools, parent representative Emilia Sichili Suriam explained the adult intervention: They are our children. Teachers, parents, federations, we all share the same goal: the protection of children's rights, and it is a legitimate right to demonstrate and make demands.

To safeguard students, union leader Sophie Vénétitay urged teachers to take to the streets: It is our role as adults to stand alongside them, to lower the pressure and to enable students to exercise their right to protest and experience democracy.