France has closed or disrupted education at 560 high schools—nearly 15% of the country’s total—amid escalating student protests that have turned violent in recent days. The closures, confirmed by the Interior Ministry, mark a sharp increase from earlier reports of 400 affected schools. Authorities attribute the disruptions to blockades, fires, and clashes between students and police.
Over 2,000 arrests have been made since protests began, with Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin stating that 90% of those detained are minors. The movement, which began in the Paris region last week, has spread nationwide, drawing criticism from officials who warn of escalating urban violence.
Immediate Impact: Closures and Arrests
The Interior Ministry reported that 1,027 high schools were affected on Thursday, including 222 that were physically blockaded by students. By Friday, the number of closures had risen to 560, with many institutions shifting to remote learning, particularly in Marseille. Authorities cited damage to school property, fires, and unsafe conditions as reasons for the closures.
Darmanin emphasized that the protests had shifted from legitimate grievances to public-order disturbances, noting that some participants were not even high school students. He also announced plans to hold parents financially liable for damages caused by their children, a measure condemned by student advocates as punitive.
Core Grievances and Escalation
The protests were initially driven by student complaints about long school hours, dilapidated buildings, overheated classrooms, and chronic teacher shortages. A 15-year-old student outside Paris’s Turgot high school told reporters, “For a whole year, we didn’t have a science teacher. We don’t have any textbooks. And still, we’re the lucky ones. It’s even worse in the suburbs.”
However, the demonstrations have increasingly involved violent clashes with police, including the use of tear gas and physical confrontations. Videos shared online show police officers being chased, kicked, and beaten, as well as school buildings set on fire. At least 65 staff members, including 40 principals, have been injured, along with 170 students. Over 100 schools have suffered severe damage.
Education Minister Édouard Geffray condemned what he described as “ultra-violent fringe groups” hijacking the movement, while acknowledging the legitimacy of the initial grievances. He urged parents to prevent their children from participating, stating, “What matters now is ensuring our children are no longer out on the streets, because they are in danger.”
Political Fallout and Diverging Responses
The protests have injected urgency into France’s political landscape, with presidential elections just over six months away. The government has accused the hard-left France Unbowed (LFI) party, led by presidential candidate Jean-Luc Mélenchon, of stoking the unrest. Senior LFI official Manu Réglade denied involvement, calling the accusations a “smear campaign” to discredit legitimate protests.
Meanwhile, critics of the government’s response argue that the crackdown has escalated rather than resolved tensions. Student protesters, such as 16-year-old Lola from Rennes, claimed police had used excessive force, including tear gas and beatings, which she said “makes us even angrier.” She declared, “As far as we’re concerned, we’ve won—our school is closed this morning.”
Broader Context: Education System Under Strain
The protests highlight longstanding issues in France’s education system, including underfunding, staff shortages, and deteriorating infrastructure. Budget cuts and policy changes have exacerbated these problems, with students and teachers reporting overcrowded classrooms, lack of resources, and unsafe conditions.
The government has acknowledged the grievances but framed the violence as a separate issue. Interior Ministry officials described the unrest as having the characteristics of “urban violence,” distinct from the original demands. However, protesters argue that the systemic failures of the education system are the root cause of the unrest, and that violent crackdowns only deepen the crisis.