France considers putting police officers in classrooms following spate of violence in schools

A viral video showed a student aiming a plastic gun at a teacher
Sophie Williams26 October 2018

France is considering putting police officers in schools following a string of violent incidents in the country's classrooms.

Interior minister Christophe Castaner said that the government expects to present its plans next week.

He said: “In the most difficult neighbourhoods, the possibility of having law enforcement officers in schools, with the agreement of principals is not included.”

It comes following the release of a video showing a student threatening his teacher with a plastic gun.

The 15-year-old had reportedly been angry that he had been marked as absent when he arrived late for class at Edouard-Branly High School.

He was later charged with aggravated violence.

The incident was condemned by President Macron who took to Twitter to warn that threatening a teacher was “unacceptable”. He added that he had ordered his ministers to take “all necessary measures” to prevent a repeat of the incident.

According to local media, four other high school students have been accused of threatening two teachers with fake guns earlier this month at a school in Le Havre.

After the release of the video, teachers in the country took to social media to share their experiences using the hashtag PasDeVague (Don’t Make Waves) in a bid to highlight the lack of support.

Additional reporting by AP.

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