Education protests vary across France
From sits-ins, to releasing birds and balloons - but no national strike - unions are protesting against reforms.
Education workers across the country are taking part in protests today against the loss of 11,200 posts.
They believe that government reforms will lead to a further 13,500 posts being cancelled next year.
The Education Ministry says the job losses, primarily through the non-replacement of staff already retiring or leaving the profession, will not affect teaching.
Fewer schooling hours and more flexible working will enable teaching to continue without problems, according to Education Minister Xavier Darcos.
The secretary general of the largest teachers' union the FSU Gérard Aschieri said: "In many places people are angry at the start of this school year. The first aim of today was to get everybody to express that on the same day."
He added: "The aim of the day was not to strike, but to voice our opinion against the job losses and the problems which appear at the start of the school year."
As well as the FSU the unions Unsa-Education, Sgen-CFDT, CGT, FO, FAEN are taking part.
The unions say that the reduction in staff will lead to larger classes, a reduction in subjects on offer to pupils and an increase in the burden on staff.
Events have been organised by local union branches and include, sit-ins, leaflet distribution, handing letters to politicians, press conferences, and marches.
In Valence staff will release balloons, in the Vendée, pigeons.
The unions have called on all members; teachers, parents and students to take part in a march in Paris on Sunday October 19 to protest against reforms.
Photos: sxc kd5ytx Alexander Redmon
