Over 400 French Schools Set to Close as Student Protests Escalate

More than 400 schools and educational institutions across France are expected to remain closed on Friday as student demonstrations over worsening conditions in the education sector continue to spread.

The protests began in the Paris region over concerns about teacher shortages, deteriorating school buildings and a lack of resources. However, some demonstrations have escalated into clashes, fires and other incidents involving police.

French Education Minister Edouard Geffray said Thursday that slightly more than 400 schools and other educational establishments would not open on Friday.

The growing unrest has prompted a major security response, with authorities reporting hundreds of arrests since the demonstrations began.

Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin told RTL radio that approximately 2,000 people had been arrested, with about two-thirds subsequently placed in police custody.

Darmanin said authorities were dealing with what he described as a violent minority within the wider protest movement. He also questioned whether everyone involved in the unrest was actually a high-school student.

According to the minister, the situation had developed beyond conventional student demonstrations after incidents involving buses and schools.

Violence was reported in several French cities on Thursday as the demonstrations intensified.

Authorities said fires were started at two high schools, while teachers at another school in Marseille were accidentally splashed with petrol.

In Strasbourg, at least one vehicle was set on fire, while clashes between riot police and youths were reported in Toulouse.

The incidents have increased concerns over the safety of students, teachers and other members of the public as the protests continue.

The protests have also triggered a political dispute over whether organised political groups are helping drive the movement.

A source close to Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu said intelligence agencies had told a crisis meeting that politicians from France’s hard left, including members of La France Insoumise (LFI), had played a role in initiating the protests.

LFI lawmaker Louis Boyard rejected the allegation in comments to French broadcasters.

The government is now under pressure to respond to students’ concerns about staffing levels and school facilities while also dealing with the violence surrounding some of the demonstrations.

The protests have also reportedly crossed into neighbouring Belgium.

Students in the city of Liège began demonstrations on Thursday, according to local media. Reports said authorities had announced the closure of schools across the city for Friday, although a municipal spokesperson had not immediately confirmed the closures.

With hundreds of schools affected in France and demonstrations spreading to other areas, authorities are closely monitoring the situation as efforts continue to contain the unrest.