France, a nation of philosopher citizens, takes the debate on education reform to the streets the better to argue with batons. This may look like a mob, and it may act like a mob, but it's all philosophy in motion. If you are lucky enough to be a French citizen and should something not suit you, just hustle up some like-minded yobs and crack a few heads.

FRENCH STUDENTS PROTEST AS PARIS DEBATES

Tens of thousands of French high school students and teachers took to the streets Tuesday to protest the centre-right government's education reform bill as the draft was presented to lawmakers for debate.

But the bill, aimed at halting the decline in French educational standards, was stripped of its key provision - changes to the revered 200-year-old baccalaureat school-leaving examination - after a similar protest last week.

"FILLON - RESIGN!"

Organisers said between 50,000 and 60,000 students and teachers marched through central Paris, demanding that the entire reform bill designed by Education Minister Francois Fillon be withdrawn.

Fillon said Sunday that he would withdraw proposed changes to the so-called "bac" exam, telling Europe 1 radio: "We will modify the reform bill via government amendment to give us the time we need."

He insisted Tuesday that the "bac' reforms would eventually go through but that he just needed more time.

Nothing in France fails in the long run. Success just requires more time in the short term.

Students? The 'students' in that pic look very much like some ghetto gang members...