Hundreds of French high schools shut amid protests
Hundreds of French high schools have closed due to widespread student protests over school conditions, long hours, and staff shortages. The government has condemned the violence associated with the protests while students allege excessive police force.
Why it matters
The unrest highlights significant tensions within the French education system and raises concerns about civil order and student safety.
French high school students have lit fires outside schools and faced off with police as a protest movement that has forced the closure of some 400 establishments showed no sign of abating.
The movement, which began last week in the Paris region and rapidly spread nationwide, has seen teenage pupils at lycees in their final years of schooling block access to buildings and clash with police.
The students say their school hours are excessively long, conditions inadequate including overheated classrooms, and that there are too many staff absences.
The government says the grievances are legitimate but has condemned what it has described as "urban violence".
Students have accused police of using excessive force and causing injuries by regularly firing tear gas canisters to disperse the protests.
Also covering this story
9 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
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Watch: Why are students protesting at schools in France?
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