Fires and clashes erupt as French student protests disrupt 564 schools

Protests by French high school students escalated on Friday, leading to fires set outside schools and clashes with police, affecting 564 schools across the country. The protests, which began last week in Paris and have since spread nationwide, were sparked by complaints about excessive school hours, poor conditions, and staff absences.

The government acknowledged the legitimacy of these concerns but condemned the violence. Minister of Education Édouard Geffray warned that up to 400 out of 3,700 high schools could close due to the unrest, and Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin announced plans to hold parents accountable for damages caused by their children. The protests have taken on a political dimension as the government accuses the far-left France Unbowed party of orchestrating the movement.

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