National teachers' strike on March 12

Collèges and lycées around France will be hit by day of strike action called by eight teaching unions

SECONDARY school teachers across France are planning a one-day strike on March 12.

Eight teachers' unions have backed the action, which will bring disruption to collèges and lycées nationwide.

They are protesting against reforms by Education Minister Luc Chatel, budget cuts and 16,000 job cuts planned for the rentrée in September.

A number of academy schools on the outskirts of Paris - including Crétéil and Versailles - are staging a separate strike this week over rising violence and a lack of supervisory staff.

Minimum service measures should be in place at schools.