BERRE L'ETANG, France, Dec. 8 (UPI) -- A group of parents have taken a school headmistress and several teachers hostage in the town of Berre l'Etang in southern France.
The group of 15 parents said they want a teacher who is in charge of their 9-year-old children fired, The Local's French Web site reported.
"We are very worried that the pupils are falling behind in school. We think our children are in danger. That's why we have decided to hold the headmistress and a couple of teachers hostage. We want things to change," said Christophe Planes, one of the parents.
The parents said they understand the risk in their action, but contend their children have been "held hostage for several months."
Local education authorities agreed Wednesday to transfer the teacher to another school, but the parents insisted on receiving a written document promising his transfer.
Police visited the school Monday, but chose not to intervene.
