French government's Covid policies cause teachers to strike

Robert Besser
17 Jan 2022, 01:45 GMT+10

French teachers have begun a nationwide strike organized by teachers unions to protest against class disruptions caused by surging COVID-19 cases and constantly changing isolation rules.
With new daily COVID-19 infections recently numbering some 360,000 driven by the highly contagious Omicron variant, France is now the epicenter of Europe's current fight against the pandemic.
Teachers unions said discontentment is rising among French teachers and expects some 75 percent to go on strike, with half of all schools closing in France.

PARIS, France: French teachers have begun a nationwide strike organized by teachers unions to protest against class disruptions caused by surging COVID-19 cases and constantly changing isolation rules.

They are also calling for clarifications on Covid rules and seek more support, such as supplies of face masks and increased testing.

With new daily COVID-19 infections recently numbering some 360,000 driven by the highly contagious Omicron variant, France is now the epicenter of Europe's current fight against the pandemic.

"The month of January is a tough one for schools," said Education Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer, as reported by France 2 television.

Blanquer's ministry announced 10,553 classes have been cancelled due to COVID-19, and 50,000 new cases were reported among students in "recent days," These figures are expected to worsen in the coming weeks.

Meanwhile teachers unions said discontentment is rising among French teachers and expects some 75 percent to go on strike, with half of all schools closing in France.

"The situation since the start of the January school year has created an indescribable mess and a strong feeling of abandonment and anger among school staff," the union said.

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to India Gazette.

More Information

28 ℃

Fair in New Delhi/Sadfarjung

Business

Section

Stocks in Asia finish mainly lower despite overnight surge on Wall Street

SYDNEY, NSW, Australia - Shares across Asia fell on Thursday, with the exception of the Chinese mainland market where modest ...

Closed since start of Covid, Chile to reopen Easter Island to tourists

SANTIAGO, Chile: Easter Island, one of Chile's most important tourist attractions, will reopen to visitors on August 1, the government ...

In bid to lower cost of steel, India imposes 50% tax on ore exports

NEW DEHLI, India: In a move expected to end the country's exports of the raw materials needed to manufacture steel, ...

Federal Reserve minutes spark late buying surge for U.S. stocks

NEW YORK, New York - The release of the minutes of the Federal Reserve's monetary meeting earlier this month surprisingly ...

US seeks stronger high tech ties to Taiwan

WASHINGTON D.C.: A leading U.S. official has said that even if Taiwan is excluded from President Joe Biden's Asian economic ...

Finland seeks new suppliers as Russia stops deliveries of natural gas

MOSCOW, Russia: In the latest escalation of an energy payment dispute with Western nations, Russia's Gazprom has halted gas exports ...

Delhi

Section