France closed up to 500 high schools on Monday as nationwide protests over education conditions intensified, with a 15-year-old student losing a hand after picking up a police grenade during clashes in Lens. Authorities reported 24 schools burned or ransacked and 78 education staff injured since protests began in late September.
Part 1: Immediate Action & Core Facts
School closures and escalating violence
French Education Minister Édouard Geffray announced that 400 to 500 high schools would remain partially or fully closed on Monday due to safety concerns, following violent protests at dozens of institutions over the weekend. Geffray stated that 24 schools had been burned or ransacked since the demonstrations began, with 78 Ministry of National Education staff injured in clashes. The closures affect high schools across France, including a third of the 468 lycées for students aged 15 to 17 in the Paris region.
Teenager injured in Lens confrontation
A 15-year-old boy lost his hand after picking up a police sting-ball grenade during protests near the Auguste Béhal high school in Lens, according to officials. The incident occurred as riot police deployed to disperse a crowd throwing projectiles, including stones and fireworks. The teenager was rushed to a nearby hospital, with authorities confirming his life was not in danger. An investigation by France’s police watchdog, the General Inspection of the National Police (IGPN), has been launched to determine the circumstances of the explosion.
Part 2: Deeper Dive & Context
Protest grievances and government response
The protests, which began in late September at a Paris suburb high school, center on overcrowded classrooms, teacher shortages, dilapidated school buildings, and rising temperatures in poorly ventilated facilities. Students have also cited rat infestations and overloaded timetables as key concerns. The government has acknowledged the issues, with Geffray stating that activists from far-left groups had infiltrated the movement, engaging in violence that risked staff and student safety.
Clashes and property damage
Videos and reports from Monday showed police and students clashing in Lille, with tear gas deployed in Toulouse and arson attacks on school entrances in Paris. At the Lycée Vauquelin in Paris, hooded and masked individuals attempted to break through the school’s entrance before setting a fire, forcing the evacuation of around 100 students. Firefighters extinguished the flames, but the school suspended classes. A regional prosecutor confirmed an investigation into the incident.
Political implications ahead of elections
The unrest coincides with less than a year until France’s presidential election, where centrist President Emmanuel Macron’s successor will be chosen. Far-right and far-left factions have positioned themselves to capitalize on public dissatisfaction, with the government accusing hard-left activists of hijacking the protest movement. Student unions have called for continued demonstrations, including a nationwide day of protests on Tuesday.
Human rights concerns and official reactions
The French Human Rights League criticized security forces for using disproportionate methods against protesters, many of whom are minors. League President Nathalie Tehio stated that police instructions lacked directives for restraint when dealing with children. Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin reported that over 5,000 people had been arrested since the protests began, with 85% of detainees under the age of 18. The government has pledged a partial, progressive return to lessons once safety conditions are restored.