France is facing a major student protest movement, with up to 500 high schools expected to remain fully or partly closed on Monday. The protests have spread across the country as students demand better education facilities, more teachers and improved conditions in schools.
The protests began in the Paris region and have now reached cities including Toulouse, Montpellier, Nantes and Marseille. Students are raising concerns about overcrowded classrooms, teacher shortages, poor school buildings and long school hours. Some students are also demanding changes to the university admission system.
France Education Minister Edouard Geffray said lessons would be completely or partly suspended in around 400 to 500 schools because safety conditions were not suitable. He said 24 schools had been burned or damaged, while 78 education staff members had been injured since the protests began. The demonstrations have also seen clashes between protesters and police, along with blockades and damage to public property. French authorities have made thousands of arrests during the unrest. Officials have said peaceful protests are allowed but warned that violence and vandalism will face action.
Student groups, however, say their main demands are about the condition of France education system. They have called for more concrete steps from the government and plan further demonstrations. With protests continuing, the government is facing pressure to address student concerns while also maintaining safety around schools.
