FRANCE: Strikes continue despite teacher-training concession

by E Wayne Ross on March 29, 2009

World University News: FRANCE: Strikes continue despite teacher-training concession

Striking lecturers and researchers are continuing their eight-week stoppage, despite a further concession by Education Minister Xavier Darcos over teacher-training reform. The biggest higher education union also rejected an amended decree modifying academics’ job status at a meeting with Higher Education and Research Minister Valérie Pécresse.

Up to 30,000 protesting lecturers, researchers and students – joined by two university presidents – demonstrated on Tuesday in Paris and other major towns, while during the week individual institutions continued organising protest actions such as holding lectures in public places, local demonstrations and boycotting administrative duties.