About 400 schools in France are anticipated to stay shut on Friday following student demonstrations regarding education issues that turned violent in certain areas. The protests, sparked by concerns over teacher shortages and deteriorating school infrastructure in the Paris region last month, have escalated in violence as they spread across the country, resulting in numerous injuries and hundreds of arrests by law enforcement. These demonstrations and blockades have become a significant political issue for the government, coinciding with the announcement of budget cuts for 2027.
Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin expressed concerns about an aggressive minority involved in the protests, suggesting that some may not even be high school students. He mentioned that approximately 2,000 individuals have been arrested since the protests began, with a majority placed in police custody. Darmanin emphasized the shift from peaceful student demonstrations to a public disturbance, citing incidents like bus vandalism and school fires as evidence of the escalating situation.
French Education Minister Édouard Geffray confirmed in an interview on Thursday that more than 400 schools and educational institutions would be closed on Friday. Marseille witnessed some of the most severe unrest, with incidents such as teachers being splashed with gasoline and a school truck being set on fire by unruly youths. Similar incidents of arson and violence were reported in cities like Nantes and Le Havre.
In the Paris suburb of Saint-Denis, confrontations between young protesters and law enforcement took place, with one student holding a sign questioning whether communication could occur without resorting to tear gas. Geffray announced plans to engage with various stakeholders, including staff unions, parent associations, and student groups, to address the ongoing issues.
(Image source: Philippe Lopez/AFP/Getty Images)
