The mayor of Marignane in France, Éric le Dissès, has suggested that primary school teachers should carry tear gas grenades as a means of self-defense against the rising incidents of violence in French schools.

In a letter sent to the town's primary school teachers, with a copy forwarded to the National Education inspector, Le Dissès expressed concern over the inadequate police presence to safeguard educators. He proposed that teachers should be equipped with tear gas grenades and wear alarm devices like necklaces or bracelets. These measures, he believes, could either help neutralize a threatening situation or quickly signal others about an imminent danger, Remix News reported.

“(There are just) 180 police officers in an area which goes from Marignane to Vitrolles and Plan-de-Campagne, including 80 in fixed posts at the police station in Marignane, without looking at the staff on leave or off work. It’s ridiculous,” le Dissès wrote.

In a recent social media update on Tuesday, the mayor brought up an incident in his town where a teacher was assaulted by four students.

“Providing them with defense spray is the least we can do in the short term,” he wrote.

Vendredi, dans un collège de #Marignane, un surveillant gravement blessé par 4 élèves !

En plus du terrorisme, la montée de l'ultra-violence dans la jeunesse menace le personnel.

Leur fournir du spray de défense est le moins que l'on puisse faire, à court terme.

— Eric Le Dissès (@LeDissesEric) January 22, 2024