Protests shutter hundreds of French schools as violence flares

Education minister declares students ‘in danger’ as hundreds of injuries reported across the country amid clashes and fires.Published On 2 Oct 20262 Oct 2026Hundreds of schools have been closed across France amid a student protest movement that has turned increasingly tumultuous.At least 400 of France’s 3,700 high schools were closed on Friday, the Ministry of National Education said, with 560 reporting protests or disruptions. The demonstrations began at high schools in the Paris area last week, but they have spread nationwide and led to violent clashes with police.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Public workers in France strike over pay as student protests turn violentlist 2 of 4What’s behind French student protests that turned violent?list 3 of 4School protests spread as fires, blockades deepen unrest in Francelist 4 of 4What’s behind France’s school protests?end of listOn Friday, students across the country, many clad in masks, blockaded schools, lit fires in the streets, and faced off with police as they rallied against large class sizes and absent teachers.“We are 35 per class, we don’t have enough chairs in classrooms, the one-hour lunch break [is too short] for...