For the second week in a row, teachers and other school staff are protesting France's revised COVID-19 protocols for students.

Educators say revisions to the policy that were announced last week are too relaxed and put their health at risk.

"It displays total contempt for the teachers who are on the ground. This will not at all reduce the number of contaminations at school," said union representative Guislaine David. 

Some 3.2 percent of classes in France are currently not meeting in person because of coronavirus outbreaks, according to government statistics released today. 

Last week the government relaxed strict testing requirements and isolation rules for students when another student in their class tests positive for COVID-19. 

Children can remain at school until the end of the day and parents may use at-home testing options to check if the virus has been contracted. However, students must remain in isolation for at least four days.

The education ministry has agreed to increase school staffing and provide teachers with FFP2 face masks following a tense meeting with unions last week. 

Teachers were mostly satisfied with the announcement, but recent reports that Education Minister Jean Michel Blanquer has been vacationing abroad in Ibiza amid the surge of cases in his home country has brought new criticism for the ministry.

Blanquer later apologized, saying it was "perhaps a mistake." 

However, unions believe it was a major error and have called for him to resign.

"It widens even more the gap that already existed between the minister and his staff," Guislaine David told broadcaster TF1. 

Thursday's protest in Paris was initially refused by police who asserted that the paperwork had not been filed in time. 

A swift backlash against the decision persuaded authorities to let the demonstration go ahead.