Hundreds of high schools across France suspended classes on Monday as student protests over poor learning conditions continued to spread, with larger demonstrations expected on Tuesday.
Students have been protesting since September, blocking school entrances and demanding improved conditions. Their complaints include teacher shortages, overcrowded classrooms, inadequate facilities, poorly maintained buildings and classrooms that are not suitable for increasingly hot temperatures.
French Education Minister Edouard Geffray said as many as 500 of the country’s 3,700 high schools could be partially or completely closed on Monday because of the protests.
Authorities also said about one-third of the 468 high schools in the Paris region were expected to shut.
In central Paris, dozens of students gathered outside Turgot High School, chanting slogans and displaying placards calling for more resources. Some students joined the protests while others entered their classrooms despite the demonstrations.
In Rennes, more than 20 students protested outside Montaigne High School, carrying signs highlighting the shortage of teachers, although other students were allowed to attend classes.
The situation was more tense in Lille, where masked protesters reportedly damaged bus shelters and set fire to rubbish bins. Police responded by firing tear gas at several hundred demonstrators.
The protest movement began on September 17 at a high school in Créteil, a suburb of Paris, initially in solidarity with teachers who were protesting shortages of staff and resources.
It has since spread to different parts of France and, in some cases, resulted in vandalism and clashes with security forces. Authorities said 24 schools had been damaged or ransacked since the protests began.
More than 5,000 people have reportedly been arrested, with minors accounting for about 85 percent of those detained.
Protesters have also accused police of using excessive force. Internal investigations have been opened into at least three cases involving alleged police brutality.
The French government has announced measures aimed at addressing some of the students’ concerns. Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu said local authorities would be encouraged to prioritise filling vacancies created by long-term teacher absences and unfilled positions.
Lecornu is also scheduled to meet regional leaders on Tuesday to discuss the condition of school buildings across the country.
Meanwhile, the government is pushing legislation that would make people responsible for damaging public property pay for the cost of repairs rather than leaving taxpayers to bear the expense.
Government spokeswoman Maud Bregeon defended the proposal, arguing that parents should bear some responsibility when minors damage public property or their schools.
Lecornu has said the proposed law could allow repair costs to be deducted from family allowances and housing benefits, while protecting a minimum level of income.
However, the proposal has drawn criticism from the CGT labour union. Its leader, Sophie Binet, described it as a populist measure that could place additional pressure on vulnerable families.
The protests are expected to continue as students and unions prepare for further mobilisation across France on Tuesday.
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