France Student Protests: Up to 500 High Schools Shut as Unrest Spreads
Up to 500 high schools across France have been partially or completely closed as student protests over poor learning conditions continue to spread.
The closures came on Monday, October 5, as authorities prepared for another major wave of demonstrations expected on Tuesday.
French Education Minister Édouard Geffray said between 400 and 500 high schools could suspend lessons because security conditions had not been met.
The protests have grown rapidly since they began in the Paris region in September. Students have blocked school entrances and taken to the streets to demand better resources, more teachers and improved learning facilities.
However, some demonstrations have turned violent, with clashes between protesters and police reported in several cities.
Why are French students protesting?
The France student protests began with complaints about conditions inside schools.
Students have raised concerns about teacher shortages, overcrowded classrooms and lengthy school schedules. They have also criticised deteriorating school buildings and classrooms that are poorly adapted to rising temperatures.
Some students have also raised concerns about inequalities linked to Parcoursup, France’s university admissions platform.
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The movement started in the Paris suburb of Créteil before spreading to other parts of the country.
According to recent reporting, more than 1,000 schools had been affected by protests or blockades at an earlier stage of the movement.
Up to 500 schools affected
The French government decided to suspend lessons at hundreds of schools as protests continued.
Geffray said the closures were partly aimed at protecting students and staff while allowing schools to gradually return to normal operations.
The closures cover between 400 and 500 of France’s roughly 3,700 high schools.
The Paris region has been particularly affected, with a significant number of schools facing full or partial closures.
Students, meanwhile, continued demonstrating outside several schools on Monday.
In Paris, teenagers gathered outside schools and displayed signs demanding additional resources and better learning conditions.
Protests turn violent in several cities
Although many students have protested peacefully, some demonstrations have escalated into violence and vandalism.
In Lille, protesters reportedly damaged bus shelters and set fire to rubbish bins. Police responded with tear gas as officers attempted to disperse demonstrators.
Other cities have also recorded clashes between protesters and security forces.
Authorities say the unrest has gone beyond the original education-related grievances in some areas.
The government has accused radical left-wing activists of exploiting the movement and encouraging violence. Geffray has specifically alleged that far-left activists infiltrated and hijacked parts of the student movement. The allegation remains a government position and has been disputed by critics of the police response.
More than 5,000 people arrested
The scale of the unrest has also resulted in thousands of arrests.
French authorities have reported more than 5,000 arrests, with about 85 per cent of those detained reportedly being minors.
The Education Ministry has also said that 24 schools have been burned or ransacked since the protests began.
The violence has raised concerns about the safety of students, teachers and police officers.
At the same time, protesters and rights groups have criticised the police response. They have accused security forces of using excessive force during some confrontations.
Authorities have rejected claims that police are targeting students simply for protesting. Officials say officers are intervening when demonstrations become violent or property is damaged.
French government promises action
The government has started outlining measures aimed at addressing some of the complaints raised by students.
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has called for authorities to prioritise filling long-term teacher vacancies and other unfilled positions.
He also scheduled discussions with regional leaders on improving school buildings.
The government is additionally pushing legislation that would make people responsible for damaging public property contribute to the cost of repairs.
Government spokeswoman Maud Bregeon defended the proposal, arguing that families should face consequences when minors are involved in serious acts of vandalism.
The proposal has attracted criticism from labour leaders.
CGT union leader Sophie Binet described the plan as a populist measure that could place additional pressure on vulnerable families.
More protests expected on Tuesday
Despite the government’s response, student groups have called for further demonstrations.
Protest organisers say they want concrete action rather than promises.
The planned mobilisation has increased concerns about further disruption across French cities.
The government, meanwhile, faces the difficult task of addressing genuine complaints about education while containing vandalism and violence linked to parts of the protests.
France student protests enter critical phase
The latest closures mark a major escalation in the France student protests.
What began as a movement focused on teacher shortages, overcrowded classrooms and poor school facilities has developed into a nationwide political and social challenge.
Students want better conditions in their schools. The government says it is prepared to address legitimate concerns but will not tolerate violence or destruction of public property.
With hundreds of schools affected and another day of demonstrations expected, pressure is now mounting on French authorities to find a solution that can restore normal classes while addressing the problems that triggered the protests.
