The French are revolting. Especially their teachers and pupils.

An estimated half a million teachers and school students have demonstrated across French cities in recent weeks - demonstrating against the deteriorating fabric of school buildings, poor facilities and continuing shortages of resources - with the burning of school buildings, street barricades and violence between demonstrators and riot police as part of the mix.

Among the many surprising, even shocking aspects of these events is that French school teachers are very much active participants and in common cause with their students.

Going on strike is the legal right of every worker in a democracy, even if the reasons extend beyond improved pay and pensions. Indeed, it is perhaps even an ethical position for a teacher to strike in interests of their ‘clients’ – better school buildings, facilities and resources for students.

But is it ethical for a teacher, not only to strike, but to encourage pupils and students to do the same?

What if pupils and students wanted to demonstrate peacefully in school time?

Would you agree that peaceful protest is a legitimate form of democratic engagement and promotes democratic understanding?

Would you condone non-violent civil disobedience?

Some causes are, arguably, even more ethically, even morally potent than education.

If the cause matters to you, perhaps it should matter to your students as well?

Is demonstrating about the ‘climate emergency’, Black Lives Matter, trans rights or the war in Gaza acceptable?

What about the ‘grooming gangs’, the ‘small boats’ or ‘Raising the Flag’?

The Teachers’ Standards in England requires all teachers to ‘ensure that personal beliefs are not expressed in ways which exploit pupils’ vulnerability or might lead them to break the law.’

Do you agree?

Or in the light of the revolting French, do you think differently?