France will suspend lessons at up to 500 high schools on Monday, the education minister said. The closures follow violent clashes between student protesters and riot police across several cities.
What Happened
Protests began last week and have since spread from Paris to cities including Montpellier, Nantes, and Marseille. Students have been demonstrating over concerns about education quality.
French Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin said that 735 of France’s 3,700 schools had been affected by protests on Friday. The education minister Édouard Geffray confirmed that between 400 and 500 schools could face partial or total closures on Monday due to security concerns.
Key Facts
- Up to 500 schools may close due to security risks.
- 24 schools have been burned or ransacked since protests began.
- 78 education staff have been wounded — a figure described as unprecedented.
- Over 5,000 people have been arrested, with about 85% being minors.
Background: What Sparked the Protests?
Students have raised concerns about overcrowded classrooms, a shortage of teachers, and deteriorating school infrastructure. The protests began as a response to these systemic issues in France’s secondary education system.
Organisers say the government has not introduced sufficient concrete measures to address the problems. They have called for continued demonstrations, demanding transparency and reform.
Government Response
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said the government is taking steps to respond to student and staff concerns. These include ensuring classes continue, improving school facilities, better organizing school days, and making university admissions more transparent.
The government is also accelerating a review of its ‘vandal-pays’ bill — legislation intended to hold individuals accountable for property damage.
Education Minister’s Concerns
Édouard Geffray said some student activists, particularly from far-left groups, have infiltrated the movement and engaged in extreme violence. He warned that such actions pose a serious risk to both students and staff.
He described the level of violence and staff injuries as something the education system has never seen before.
What to Watch Next
Protests are expected to continue on Tuesday. Organisers say they will not back down unless the government delivers tangible reforms.
Security conditions remain unstable. The number of schools affected may grow if unrest intensifies.
For more on student activism in France, see the BBC’s coverage of the protests.
For updates on education policy, visit the official French Ministry of Education website.
France’s education system faces a critical moment. The protests highlight deep-seated issues in access, quality, and management of secondary education. Without meaningful reform, similar unrest could spread.
These developments are part of a broader trend of youth-led activism in Europe. The situation underscores the need for governments to listen to student voices and act with transparency and urgency.
Sources & further reading
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