Hundreds of high schools across France partially or fully suspended classes on Monday as nationwide student protests over deteriorating learning conditions, staff shortages and underfunding continued to disrupt the country's education system. The demonstrations, which began in mid-September, have spread across the country and in some areas turned violent.

The protest movement, which began on September 17 at a high school in Créteil on the outskirts of Paris, has expanded to cities across France, with students demanding improved learning conditions, additional teachers, renovated school buildings, smaller class sizes and greater public investment in education.

French Education Minister Édouard Geffray said classes had been partially or completely suspended at between 400 and 500 high schools where authorities could not guarantee the safety of students and staff. He added that reopening would depend on security conditions at each school.

Violence escalates

Geffray said violence had accompanied the demonstrations, with 24 schools burned or seriously damaged during the unrest. He also reported that 78 members of education staff had been injured, including school principals and teachers who were targeted during clashes.

According to the Interior Ministry, more than 700 schools have been affected by the protests nationwide, while over 5,000 people—most of them minors—have been detained or subjected to legal proceedings in connection with the unrest. Police officers, teachers, journalists and bystanders have also been injured after being struck by projectiles during demonstrations.

Students demand education reforms

Student representatives say they are protesting against overcrowded classrooms, deteriorating school infrastructure, excessive workloads, teacher shortages and unequal access to quality education. They have accused the government of failing to address long-standing problems in the public education system despite repeated appeals.

Following talks with student representatives, the government announced it would launch five separate initiatives focusing on teacher recruitment, school infrastructure, classroom conditions, student welfare and broader education reforms.

Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has instructed ministers to prepare concrete proposals to address the students' concerns, while Education Minister Geffray said dialogue would continue in an effort to restore calm. Student organizations, however, have called for another nationwide day of demonstrations, arguing that the government's response has so far fallen short of their demands.(ILKHA)