France to close up to 500 schools on Monday over student protests
France is set to close up to 500 schools on Monday following violent student protests over education standards and infrastructure. Thousands have been arrested as the government claims the movement has been infiltrated by far-left activists.
Why it matters
The scale of the school closures and arrests indicates a significant escalation in social unrest and a growing confrontation between the French government and student movements.
Share Save Add as preferred on Google Jack Burgess Reuters French riot police were deployed to the manage the protests on Friday Up to 500 schools across France will be partially or totally closed on Monday after clashes between riot police and student protesters in recent days, the French education minister said on Sunday.
Lessons will be "totally or partly suspended" in some "400 to 500" high schools as security conditions "have not been fulfilled", Édouard Geffray said.
He also said 24 schools had been "burned or ransacked" since the start of the protests.
Thousands of students have been demonstrating over education standards and the protests, which started last week, have spread from Paris to other cities, including Montpellier, Nantes and Marseille.
High school pupils and others have objected to a lack of teachers, overcrowded classrooms and run-down buildings.
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