France: 400 schools closed as student protests continue

Nearby over 400 French schools and colleges have remained shut since Thursday as student demonstrations over educational concerns persist, some of which turned violent. French Education Minister Edouard Geffray affirmed on France 2 on Thursday night that there are more than 400 schools and other educational institutions closed. Protests, triggered by teacher shortages, damaged school buildings, and lack of learning materials, began at lycées (similar to US high schools) in Paris region last month and have since spread nationwide.

Police have made approximately 2,000 arrests with several injured, including 40 high school principals. Fires were set in at least two high schools on Thursday, while teachers were allegedly inadvertently splashed with petrol in a third in Marseille. One car was burned in Strasbourg while police fought with youths in Toulouse. In Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, authorities reported over €25 million in damages.

More clashes between students and police were reported in cities like Loire and Paris on Friday, though students have also criticized the heavy-handed police response. Geffray warned that "violent individuals" might be "infiltrating groups of students" and urged parents to keep their children at home. The minister plans to meet with student representatives and trade unions on Friday for dialogue.

Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said French domestic intelligence agencies told a crisis meeting that the movement was launched by politicians from the left-wing party La France Insoumise (France Unbowed or LFI), who deny the claims. LFI leader Jean-Luc Melenchon, a presidential candidate for 2027, supports the protests but advocates non-violent measures.

Student union bodies have called for a day of mass protest on October 6, demanding "police out of schools! No to the repression of student mobilization!"