France responds to surge in death threats against teachers

French education officials and ministers are responding to a series of death threats and physical aggressions directed at teachers and school staff following the start of the school year. Multiple incidents have been reported across various regions, including Toulouse, Yonne, Gironde, and Marseille.

In one instance near Toulouse, a father was sentenced to six months in prison after threatening to decapitate a teacher. Other reported incidents include a mother mimicking throat-slitting gestures toward a principal in Yonne, a father threatening staff in Eysines, and an intoxicated parent threatening personnel in Marseille.

Education Minister Édouard Geffray has condemned these actions, stating that “no violence against national education personnel will be tolerated.” He emphasized that the institution will support affected staff through functional protection, judicial action, and, in extreme cases, the possibility of transferring students to different schools to ensure staff safety.