Key Takeaways
- France plans to close up to 500 high schools Monday amid France student protests and safety concerns.
- Student protests began over teacher shortages, overcrowding, and poor school conditions.
- Organizers are calling for demonstrations to resume Tuesday across France.
France plans to fully or partly close up to 500 high schools Monday as authorities cite safety concerns amid nationwide student protests over teacher shortages, overcrowding and poor school conditions.
Safety Concerns Drive School Closures
Education Minister Édouard Geffray said Sunday that between 400 and 500 high schools would have classes fully or partly suspended because security conditions had not been met. He said 24 schools had been burned or ransacked since the protests began.
The closures are intended as a precaution as authorities prepare for renewed demonstrations. The number of affected schools is expected to be similar to Friday, when about 400 high schools were closed, and protests or disruptions affected 560, according to the education ministry.
Geffray said at least 170 students and 78 education workers have been injured since demonstrations began in the Paris region in mid-September.
The government has urged schools to shift classes online when blockades or damage make in-person teaching unsafe. “Violence will not deprive our students of their fundamental right to education,” Geffray said earlier in the protests.
Students Plan More Demonstrations
The France student protests began in the Paris suburbs over shortages of teachers and other school staff, overcrowded classrooms, long school days and deteriorating facilities. They have since spread nationwide, with demonstrations, blockades and class strikes affecting more than 1,200 schools at various points.
Student organizers have called for large demonstrations to resume Tuesday, saying the government has not offered enough concrete measures to address their complaints.
The unrest has included clashes with police, fires and property damage. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said authorities made more than 5,000 arrests last week, with 85% of those arrested being minors, according to the Associated Press.
Students have also accused police of using excessive force during the demonstrations. Rights groups have called for protesters’ concerns to be addressed while urging authorities to protect minors.
Education Crisis Adds Pressure On Government
The France student protests come as President Emmanuel Macron’s government faces pressure over its proposed 2027 budget. The education budget is set to rise 1.7% to 65.53 billion euros ($73.77 billion), excluding teacher pensions, according to the draft budget.
Students and teachers say the increase does not address persistent staffing and infrastructure problems. In disadvantaged areas around Paris, protesters have highlighted shortages of teachers, nurses and other school personnel.
“We are 35 per class; we don’t have enough chairs in classrooms,” 15-year-old student Kesia told Reuters during a protest in the Paris suburb of Pantin.
The government has acknowledged students’ concerns while condemning violence and vandalism. Education officials are seeking dialogue with students, teachers and parents as authorities prepare for another week of demonstrations.
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