French authorities have announced that between 400 and 500 high schools will either partially or completely suspend classes on Monday due to escalating unrest. Education Minister Édouard Geffray confirmed the closures on Sunday, citing a failure to meet necessary security conditions following days of widespread student demonstrations.
Since the protests began last week, the movement has expanded from Paris to major cities including Toulouse, Montpellier, Nantes, and Marseille. The demonstrations, initially focused on educational grievances, have increasingly been marked by vandalism, arson, and clashes with riot police. Minister Geffray reported that 24 schools have been burned or ransacked, and 78 staff members have sustained injuries during the disturbances.
The scale of the disruption is significant, with Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin noting that 735 of the country's 3,700 schools have been affected by the protests in some capacity. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez reported that police arrested 1,747 individuals on Friday alone as the government struggles to contain the violence.
At the core of the student movement are demands for systemic improvements to the French education system. Protesters are calling for an increase in teaching staff, including substitutes, to address chronic shortages that they argue are undermining the quality of education. Furthermore, students have highlighted concerns regarding overcrowded classrooms and the deteriorating state of school infrastructure, which they claim hinders effective learning.
In response to the crisis, the government has pledged to implement measures aimed at upgrading school facilities and ensuring the continuity of education. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has promised reforms to the organization of school days and has committed to increasing transparency within the university admissions process.
