French Teachers Stage 1-Day Strike

Nearly a third of France’s 1 million public school teachers left their classrooms Tuesday to protest government inaction in adopting school reforms.

The one-day strike affected children of all ages, from first-graders to university students. Most stayed home, leaving working parents scrambling for baby sitters.

About 100 youths clashed with police in Paris - where 70 percent of teachers struck - after about 10,000 teachers ended a peaceful march to demand higher wages and increased funding for schools.

There were no reported injuries, but about 10 people were arrested.

The strike, coming 10 weeks before presidential elections, appeared to be a warning to candidates that teachers have electoral clout.