France suspends stun grenades after teenager injured in school protests over deteriorating conditions

Widespread demonstrations across France regarding declining school conditions have escalated into confrontations between students, parents and police forces. Large-scale protests with hundreds of thousands of participants have drawn attention to disputes over educational facilities and resources, whilst simultaneously sparking intense scrutiny of policing methods employed during the demonstrations.

The suspension of stun grenades was triggered after a 15-year-old student in Lens sustained a serious hand injury, prompting Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez to halt use of the devices pending investigation. The incident has intensified debate around appropriate force levels against young protesters, with officials and student groups offering conflicting interpretations of events. Some parents have begun withdrawing their children from protest participation amid safety concerns, whilst authorities and demonstrators continue to contest the broader issues of police conduct and protest damage.