French pupils resume school blockades as country braces for more protests

Minister warns weeks without lessons are putting exams at risk as unions plan nationwide strike on Thursday

Dozens of high schools across France were blockaded again on Monday as the government braced for another tense week of protests over school conditions and the high cost of living.

The protests come amid warnings that weeks without lessons are putting some pupils’ school year and final exams at risk.

As children returned after the two-week school holiday, students’ unions ignored Emmanuel Macron’s call to end the lycée blockades, which have been running since September and have prompted one of the biggest protest movements and social crises of his presidency.