65% of high-school teachers in France attend strike against pension reform, union says

A teacher sticks a slogan "pensions: no at age 64" on a placard in front of the high school Bristol in Cannes, ahead of a nationwide day of strike and protests in key sectors like energy, public transport, air travel and schools against the pension reform in France, January 17, 2023. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard/File Photo

Around 65% of high school teachers in France were attending nationwide strikes against a planned pension reform on Thursday, a spokesperson for the SNES FSU union said, while official ministry figures were lower.

In some schools, the rate could be as high as 80% and some schools were closed, the union spokesperson added.

Figures released later on Thursday by the education ministry however showed a lower participation rate, with an average of 38.5% of French teachers on strike nationwide.

The rate for high school teachers was 42.35% in primary schools and 34.66% in secondary schools, the ministry said in a statement.

(This story has been refiled to remove a redundant word in the lede)

(Reporting by Dominique Vidalon, editing by Tassilo Hummel)