Mass protests by high school students have escalated across France, spreading to cities throughout the country and resulting in dozens of injuries, more than 2,000 arrests and the closure of hundreds of schools.
The movement, which began last week in the Paris region, has mainly involved high school seniors who have blocked school entrances and clashed with police while demanding improved conditions in schools.
Among their concerns are longer school hours, overcrowded classrooms, teacher shortages and inadequate ventilation. The latter became a particular concern during the summer amid high temperatures.
The French government has acknowledged that the students’ concerns are legitimate but has stressed that violence is unacceptable.
Education Minister Édouard Geffray said the student movement was being held hostage by what he described as “extremely violent extremist groups.” He said nearly 400 of France’s approximately 3,700 high schools had been closed on Friday.
Many schools have also planned to switch to remote learning, particularly in the southern city of Marseille.
“At least 65 members of staff have been injured, including 40 high school principals, since the beginning of the movement,” Geffray said.
He urged parents to discourage their children from taking part in the protests, saying authorities’ immediate priority was to ensure students were no longer exposed to risks on the streets.
Meanwhile, Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin said he had asked prosecutors to hold parents financially responsible for damage caused by their children during the protests, including the cost of repairs.
“Since the beginning of the movement, around 2,000 people have been arrested by police, 90 percent of whom are minors,” Darmanin said.
The escalating protests have created significant disruption to France’s secondary education system as authorities seek to address students’ demands while containing clashes and property damage.
