France shuts 400 high schools amid violent student protests

Nearly 400 secondary schools across France are expected to shut down on Friday following a rapid escalation of student protests that began last week in the Paris region. The unrest has since spread throughout the country, with students blocking school entrances and engaging in confrontations with law enforcement.

Government response to unrest

French Education Minister Edouard Geffray stated that the high school movement had become "hostage to marginal groups that are extremely violent." He confirmed that approximately 400 of the nation's 3,700 high schools face closure due to the ongoing disruptions.

Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin announced he had instructed prosecutors to hold parents accountable for damages caused by their children during the demonstrations. Speaking to RTL radio, Darmanin emphasized that families must be compelled to pay for repair costs resulting from the vandalism.

Arrests and injuries reported

Since the start of the protests, around 2,000 individuals have been detained and placed in police custody. Darmanin noted that 90 percent of those arrested are minors. Authorities also reported that more than 300 police and gendarme officers have been injured during the unrest.

In the Loire department, police stopped several people carrying "dangerous items" on Friday morning. Meanwhile, local authorities in the Yvelines department reported the arrest of 82 individuals early Friday. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez condemned what he described as "unbridled violence."

Student demands and official stance

The protesting students are calling for improved study conditions, citing excessively long school hours and inadequate facilities. They highlighted issues such as high temperatures inside classrooms and frequent staff absences.

The government acknowledges the legitimacy of these complaints but firmly rejects the accompanying violence. On Thursday, authorities counted roughly 900 actions at high schools after the protests extended to all French departments.

Safety concerns and remote learning

Geffray told BFMTV that at least 65 staff members have been injured since the protests began, including 40 high school principals. He urged parents to take clear responsibility and instruct their children not to attend the demonstrations.

"The most important thing now is to ensure our children do not remain in the streets, because they are exposed to danger," Geffray said. Several high schools plan to switch to remote learning, particularly in the southern city of Marseille.