France is preparing to restrict classes at hundreds of high schools Monday as officials respond to student demonstrations that have resulted in thousands of arrests, injuries and damage to school property.
Education Minister Édouard Geffray said around 400 to 500 schools could be affected. Depending on conditions at each location, students could either have no classes or a reduced schedule. The government hopes schools can gradually return to normal operations where it is safe to do so.
The demonstrations grew out of complaints from students and teachers in the Paris area during September. They raised concerns about too few teachers, crowded classrooms, lengthy school days and deteriorating buildings.
It did not remain a local protest for long. Demonstrations eventually appeared in several cities around France, including Marseille, Strasbourg, Tours, Nantes, Toulouse and Lille.
Violence and property destruction followed as the unrest expanded. Fires have been set, buildings and other property damaged and objects thrown toward police. Assaults have also been reported. Officers have responded with tear gas and rubber bullets in some confrontations.
More than 5,000 people were arrested during the past week, according to French officials. About 85 percent of those detained were minors. Authorities reported another striking number for Friday alone, when 1,747 arrests were made.
The disruption has been especially visible at schools. Geffray said 24 have been burned or ransacked since the unrest began. On Friday, at least 400 of the country’s approximately 3,700 high schools were closed, and hundreds of additional schools experienced some form of protest or disruption.
There have been injuries on both sides of the school community. Government figures put the totals at about 170 students and 78 education workers.
There is also disagreement over who is responsible for the protests becoming more violent.
French officials have accused activists on the far left of becoming involved after the demonstrations were already underway. Intelligence officials have separately alleged a connection between the early protest movement and politicians from France Unbowed, also called LFI.
The party denies the government’s account. LFI says the accusations are an attempt to turn the unrest into a political issue as the country approaches its next presidential race in 2027.
Police tactics have faced criticism as well. Some critics believe officers have used excessive force against demonstrators, many of whom are teenagers. Amnesty International has said authorities should address what students are asking for rather than respond through repression.
The situation has also drawn political commentary in the United States. Tomi Lahren discussed the unrest on “The Big Weekend Show,” calling France a warning for America. She tied the broader problems facing France to European immigration policies and argued that large-scale immigration can eventually produce resentment among existing residents.
Education remains at the center of what originally brought students into the streets. The French government recently presented its budget plans for 2027. With teacher pensions removed from the calculation, the amount directed toward education would increase by 1.7 percent. The material provided for this article states that the increase would not keep pace with inflation.
Another round of demonstrations is planned for Tuesday. Organizers say they have not seen enough action from the government to address their concerns.
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said Sunday that his government is working on several areas raised by students and educators. Those efforts include school facilities, the structure of the school day, keeping classes available and changes involving the university admissions process.
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