France Student Protests Escalate with Violent Clashes, Hundreds of Schools Forced to Close

POLICY WIRE — Paris, France — Protests by French high school students have escalated into violent confrontations, leading to the closure or disruption of over 560 educational institutions across the country.

The unrest, which started in the Paris region and quickly spread nationwide, has seen students block school entrances and engage in physical altercations with law enforcement. The movement is fueled by complaints about long school hours, poor infrastructure, and a lack of teaching staff.

One 15-year-old student, Simon, from central Paris, described the challenges faced by students, including the absence of a science teacher for an entire year and a lack of textbooks. He noted that conditions are even worse in suburban areas. Meanwhile, government officials have acknowledged the validity of student concerns but condemned the violence, calling it “urban violence.”

Education Minister Edouard Geffray stated that more than 560 high schools have been affected, with over 1,000 impacted just days earlier. He urged parents to prevent their children from participating in the protests, citing risks to their safety. Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin announced that prosecutors will hold parents accountable for damages caused by their children during the demonstrations.

Across the country, students have accused police of using excessive force, including tear gas, to disperse crowds. In Rennes, tensions were high outside a local high school, where students wearing black and balaclavas stood near a large police presence. A 16-year-old student, Lola, claimed victory in shutting down her school for the day, while condemning what she called police brutality.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)