Nearly 500 Schools In France To Be Closed Monday Over Student Protests

Up to 500 schools across France are set to close, either completely or partially, on Monday due to a series of student protests that have caused national concern, according to Education Minister Edouard Geffray. The closures affect approximately 400-500 high schools, with 24 already burned or ransacked since the movement began. The closures are viewed primarily as a security measure ahead of planned demonstrations for Tuesday.

Students at French secondary schools, called lycées, cite issues such as high teacher absenteeism, extended school hours, and deteriorating facilities as reasons for their protests. Education Minister Geffray stated that the number of affected schools on Monday would be similar to Friday's count but assured a "partial, progressive return to lessons."

Valerie Pecresse, the right-wing president of Ile-de-France, mentioned that over a third of the region's 468 schools would be closed. The movement originated at a Paris school on September 17 but has since expanded nationwide, with violent clashes between teenagers and security forces involving tear gas and batons. Geffray accused some activists, particularly from the far-left, of infiltrating the student movement and engaging in extreme violence.

Geffray noted that 78 education staff members sustained injuries, a first in educational history. Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu pledged to address the protesters' concerns by prioritizing filling positions left vacant due to long-term absences and encouraging regional authorities to improve deteriorated school buildings. Over 5,000 individuals, primarily minors, have been arrested since the movement started.

Critics have accused police of employing overly aggressive tactics against children. A 16-year-old was detained on Sunday for assaulting a teacher during a protest in La Ciotat, while footage showed youths beating a police officer in Belfort. Two 15 and 17-year-olds have been arrested for suspected aggravated violence, with one of the youths filing an attempted murder complaint.

Amnesty International criticized the "disproportionate police violence" used against the demonstrators, emphasizing the need for young people to express their grievances without fear of excessive force or arbitrary arrest. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez defended the security forces, stating they are not targeting young people but rather protecting the schools and universities while they voice their demands peacefully.