France is bracing for another day of school closures as student protests over resources and conditions show no sign of abating. The education ministry said on Sunday that between 400 and 500 secondary schools would be fully or partially shut on Monday, with security conditions not met in many establishments.
The protests, which began two weeks ago at the Saint-Exupéry secondary school in Créteil, a Paris suburb, have spread to cities including Paris, Toulouse, Lille, and Tours. Pupils are demanding better facilities, smaller classes, and an end to teacher shortages, with many absences left uncovered.
Government defends police response
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez rejected accusations of disproportionate force, insisting that police are protecting students who wish to protest peacefully. “The police do not repress young people,” he said on Sunday, while vowing to act “firmly and without delay” against those causing damage or violence. He also dismissed claims that security forces are targeting minority youth, calling such narratives “totally disconnected from the real world.”
The interior ministry reports nearly 5,000 arrests since the unrest began. Incidents have included fires, vandalism, and clashes with police, who have used tear gas and rubber bullets. Twenty-four schools have been burned or ransacked, according to Education Minister Édouard Geffray, who also said 78 education staff have been injured.
Unions back students
All major teachers’ unions have announced they will join the students’ next day of action, planned for Tuesday. In a joint statement, they called the students’ demands “legitimate” and said they align with their own long-standing complaints about underfunding. The unions also criticized the government for responding mainly with police force, noting that reports of injured and threatened students are increasing.
On Friday, Geffray met student representatives, but they said no concrete measures were offered. The movement has now scheduled an “act III” for Tuesday, following two earlier nationwide mobilizations on 29 September and 1 October.
Serious incidents on the sidelines
Several violent episodes have marked the protests. In Tours, a young man lost sight in his right eye after clashes with police. In La Ciotat, a 59-year-old teacher was doused in petrol and beaten; a 16-year-old suspect was arrested in Marseille. In Belfort, a police officer was chased and kicked by a group, leading to two arrests.
The government is reportedly considering bringing forward a “casseurs-payeurs” bill that would make participants in violent gatherings contribute to repair costs, even if they are not directly responsible for the damage. This comes as France faces broader fiscal pressures, with borrowing costs at a 22-year high and an austerity budget being implemented.
The protests have also drawn attention to the wider challenges facing French schools, including aging infrastructure and overcrowding. As the movement enters its third week, the question is whether the government will offer more than police presence to address the underlying grievances.
