France Student Protests: Up To 500 Schools To Shut As Education Unrest Continues
Up to 500 high schools in France are expected to remain fully or partially closed on Monday amid student protests over teacher shortages, school conditions and education resources. Authorities cited security concerns following incidents of violence and damage.
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High school students across France have been protesting over concerns about teacher shortages, overcrowded classrooms, poor school infrastructure and long school hours. The demonstrations began in the Paris region in September and have since spread to several cities across the country.
Students have also raised concerns about the overall quality of education and the availability of adequate resources in schools. The protests have involved school blockades and demonstrations, with some incidents escalating into clashes with security forces.
France Schools To Close Amid Student Protests
France’s Education Minister Édouard Geffray said lessons would be fully or partially suspended at around 400 to 500 high schools on Monday, October 5, as security conditions were not considered sufficient for normal classes.
The closures are being treated as a security measure following several days of unrest. According to the education ministry, 24 schools had been burned or ransacked since the beginning of the protests, while 78 education staff members had been injured.
The ministry had reported that around 400 high schools were closed on Friday, while hundreds more faced protests or disruptions.
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France Student Protest: Thousands Arrested
The protests have also resulted in a large number of arrests. France’s Interior Minister has said that more than 5,000 people have been arrested, with around 85 per cent of those detained in the Paris region reported to be minors.
The government has condemned violence and damage to public property, while rights groups have raised concerns about the police response to demonstrations involving minors.
Student Protests To Continue On Tuesday
Student organisers have called for another major mobilisation on Tuesday, saying the government has not taken enough concrete steps to address their concerns. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has called for measures to address teacher vacancies and discussions on improving school buildings.
The developments have put France’s education system and the concerns of students at the centre of a growing national debate over school resources and learning conditions.
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Anjali is an education journalist with over a year of experience in digital and business journalism. She has previously worked with BW Businessworld and ANI, where she gained experience in news writing, editing, research, and fact-checking. At Jagran Josh, she writes education news and covers competitive exams and current affairs, with a keen interest in delivering accurate, informative, and reader-focused content. She holds a BA from Miranda House, University of Delhi, and a postgraduate diploma in English Journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC). Anjali enjoys reading and exploring new ideas and perspectives through books.
