Student protests over school conditions are intensifying across France, with classes at between 400 and 500 high schools expected to be fully or partially suspended on Monday because security conditions have not been met, Education Minister Édouard Geffray announced.
The closures come after demonstrations that began in the Paris region spread to cities across the country. Authorities have reported clashes, school blockades and damage to buildings during the protests, prompting officials to take additional security measures.
Geffray stated that 24 schools had been burned or vandalized since the movement began and that 78 education staff members had been injured. He described the decision to suspend classes as a security precaution, with organizers calling for another major day of demonstrations on Tuesday.
The protests began in the Paris suburbs in September and have since expanded nationwide. Students have blocked school entrances, disrupted classes and taken part in demonstrations, with some protests escalating into confrontations with police.
Students have raised concerns about several long-standing problems within the education system. These include overcrowded classrooms, shortages of teachers and substitute staff, deteriorating school buildings and long school days.
Students have also complained about difficult conditions during periods of extreme heat, as well as pressure linked to France’s university admissions system. Concerns over unequal access to educational resources in disadvantaged areas have further added to the grievances.
Some students have reportedly faced examinations despite missing classes because teachers were unavailable, adding to concerns about whether they are receiving adequate preparation.
The scale of the disruption has grown rapidly. The Education Ministry reported that around 400 high schools were affected by closures on Friday, while hundreds more experienced protests or other disruptions. The protests have included clashes with police, fires involving rubbish bins and other objects, and damage to school property.
The French government has acknowledged concerns about conditions in schools while condemning violent incidents. Teachers’ unions have also expressed support for students’ concerns and linked them to their own complaints about shortages of resources and staff.
More demonstrations are planned, meaning further disruption to classes remains possible as authorities assess security conditions at schools across the country.
