French student protests force closure of over 400 schools, dozens injured
More than 400 schools in France were shut after student demonstrations over staffing and facility conditions turned violent, leaving dozens of staff and police injured and nearly 2,000 arrests.
Over 400 schools across France were closed on Thursday after student protests escalated into violent confrontations, the education ministry said. The unrest, sparked by concerns about teacher shortages, overcrowded classrooms and deteriorating school buildings, has also spread to university campuses, with blockades reported at more than 30 institutions, including sites in Rennes and Paris.
Education Minister Édouard Geffray reported that 65 school staff members were injured and that significant damage was inflicted on school facilities, prompting a shift to remote learning for affected students. The interior ministry recorded 1,949 arrests and noted that 305 police officers were also injured during the clashes.
The demonstrations began last week at secondary schools for 15- to 18-year-olds and quickly expanded, affecting 1,027 lycées, of which 222 experienced blockades. Authorities described the situation as "urban violence" as they worked to restore order.