French education minister, Elisabeth Borne, has said that the police will start random searches for knives and other weapons concealed in bags at and around schools in a bid to fight an increase in violent attacks.
Borne said this to newsmen this Friday, saying the new policy was prompted by stabbings becoming much more common.
She says the searches would be carried out by the police only, saying teachers and school staff are not authorised to search pupils.
She says she would also seek a rule change by which any pupil found with a weapon at school would automatically have to appear before a disciplinary council.