The World : Teachers Protest in Paris

Tens of thousands of teachers from throughout France marched peacefully through Paris in the second mass protest in a week against a plan to give greater authority to elementary school principals. Clanging cowbells and singing songs, the demonstrators demanded the withdrawal of the decree by Education Minister Rene Monory. The teachers feel the new law will lead to dictatorial management of schools and intervention in teaching methods. The teachers’ unions are also worried that the principals will use the law to ban teachers’ strikes.