Educators voice concerns as thousands of children facing exams miss up to 150 hours of class
For several weeks, Alex, 16, has woken at 4am and walked 90 minutes in the dark from his northern Paris suburb so he can help gather wheelie bins to blockade his high school in Vincennes.
In a tote bag, he brings some masks and some swimming goggles in case of police teargas. His parents, who work in the arts and vote left, support the French school student protesters who since September have blocked schools demanding repairs to dilapidated school buildings, more replacement teachers, a solution to overcrowded classes and more equality in the university application system.