France closes up to 500 schools Monday over student protests
Story By Staff Reporter
Up to 500 schools in France will close fully or partly on Monday. Clashes between riot police and student protesters over recent days prompted the decision, Education Minister Édouard Geffray said on Sunday.
Safety conditions not met
Geffray said lessons will be “wholly or partially suspended” at 400 to 500 high schools. Safety conditions “have not been met,” he explained. He added that protesters have burned or ransacked 24 schools since the unrest began.
Protests spread across France
Thousands of students joined the protests, which began last week. They have spread from Paris to Montpellier, Nantes and Marseille. Students object to teacher shortages, overcrowded classrooms and run-down buildings.
On Friday, Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin said violent protests had affected 735 of France’s 3,700 schools “in one way or another.” Geffray warned that Monday’s disruption could reach a similar scale. He promised a “gradual, partial return to lessons.”
Minister blames far-left activists
Geffray claimed that far-left activists had infiltrated the student movement, hijacked it and turned to “extreme violence.” He said this endangers staff and pupils alike. The violence has injured 78 education staff, which he called “unprecedented.”
Thousands arrested
Police arrested 1,747 people on Friday, Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said. According to a news agency, authorities have detained more than 5,000 people since the movement began. Roughly 85% of them are minors.
Protests set to continue
Organisers have called for more demonstrations on Tuesday. They accuse the government of offering no “concrete measures,” AFP reports.
Government promises new steps
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said on Sunday that his government is taking further steps to “address the difficulties faced by high school students and educational staff.” The measures include keeping classes running, upgrading facilities and organising school days better. The government will also make the national university admissions platform more transparent.
Lecornu added that the government is fast-tracking its “vandal-pays” bill. The bill would make those responsible for damage cover the costs.
Reporting based on original coverage by AFP and BBC.
