Parents of students at the Émile Zola kindergarten in Saint-Ouen, near Paris, have voted to relocate four classes due to safety concerns.

The school is located near a major drug dealing hotspot, and incidents such as drug packets found in the playground and a gas canister thrown through a window have raised alarm.

The vote, organized by the local government, showed strong support for a move, with parents opting for relocation as early as April.

Education Minister Élisabeth Borne emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring a safe environment for the school, stating, "The school will never back down in the face of violence.

" The temporary relocation will move the classes a few hundred meters away, while efforts to secure the original site continue.

Critics argue that moving the school signals a retreat by the state, but officials insist the decision prioritizes the safety of children and staff.