Teachers on strike in France

By Seyma Uzundere

Primary and secondary school teachers went on strike in Paris and other cities in France to demand improved working conditions and salary increases, according to media reports.

According to national media reports, teachers went on strike in Paris and many cities with the call of the country's leading education unions.

The leading education unions called the strike and have been demanding improved salaries and working conditions since December.

But Education Minister Amelie Oudea-Castera's statements against public schools have garnered reactions from teachers, who think their work is considered worthless because of comments by Oudea-Castera.

The FSU-SNUIP education union said the strike participation rate was 65% in Paris and 50% in Val-de-Marne, Drome, Ardeche and Pyrenees-Atlantiques.

Across the country, 40% of primary and secondary school teachers are expected to strike Thursday.

In France, actions were initiated by four education unions in December to improve wages and working conditions.

The controversy intensified after Oudea-Castera announced she sent her children to a private school in Paris.

*Writing by Zeynep Cetin