PARIS, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- French teachers went on strike Thursday to protest against a government plan to cut jobs in education system, but the government insisted on the reform.
According to teachers' unions, more than half of secondary school teachers and 70 percent of primary school teachers joined the strike.
Education Minister Xavier Darcos said on Thursday he "heard" the teachers but "the job cuts will continue."
He said on RTL Radio: "What counts is the way in which we organize ourselves, the services provided by the teachers, but not simply the number of teachers."
The government has cut 11,200 jobs from national education system. Another 13,500 educational positions are due to disappear next year. The teachers' unions said that government aimed to cut state costs at expense of teachers and pupils.
Teachers are not the only professionals currently on strike in France. Public TV broadcasters, doctors and air hostesses have also called strikes in the coming weeks.
