Viry-Chatillon, France – In response to a recent surge in violent incidents involving schoolchildren, French Prime Minister Gabriel Attal unveiled a series of measures aimed at addressing teenage violence in and around schools. The government’s initiatives come amidst escalating concerns regarding security, particularly in light of the upcoming European elections in two months.
The fatal beating of Shemseddine, a 15-year-old student, outside Paris has brought significant attention to the issue of school violence in France. The far-right National Rally (RN) has criticized Attal, accusing him of inadequately addressing security concerns as the anti-immigration party gains momentum in polls leading up to the June 9 election.
Attal, speaking in Viry-Chatillon where Shemseddine was tragically killed, emphasized the urgent need to address the “addiction of some of our adolescents to violence.” He called for a stronger sense of authority to combat violence, citing alarming statistics that show a high level of involvement of adolescents in assault cases, drug trafficking, and armed robberies compared to the general population.
One of the key measures announced by Attal involves expanding compulsory school attendance for children of college age to all days of the week, from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. Emphasizing the importance of education, Attal reiterated that school should be the primary place for young individuals to engage in learning and personal development.
The measures introduced by Attal seek to instill a sense of respect and responsibility among students, with the ultimate goal of curbing the prevalence of violence in schools. By enhancing school attendance requirements and promoting a culture of learning, the government aims to address the root causes of teenage violence and create a safer environment for students across France. This initiative coincides with Attal’s 100th day in office, as he endeavors to bolster the government’s standing under President Emmanuel Macron’s leadership.