Paris (Rajeev Sharma): Hundreds of high schools across France are expected to suspend classes on Monday as authorities prepare for another major wave of student demonstrations over concerns about the country’s education system.
Education Minister Edouard Geffray said between 400 and 500 secondary schools could see classes cancelled either completely or partially because conditions were considered unsafe. He said 24 schools had already suffered arson attacks, vandalism or extensive damage since the protests began.
The temporary closures are being treated primarily as a security measure, with organisers calling for demonstrations to intensify on Tuesday. Geffray said officials hoped schools could gradually resume normal teaching rather than remain closed for an extended period.
The unrest began in Paris on September 17 before spreading to other parts of France. Students have taken to the streets to complain about teacher shortages, prolonged school schedules and ageing or poorly maintained buildings. They have also raised broader concerns about the quality of education and their prospects for the future.
The disruption is expected to be particularly significant around the capital. Valerie Pecresse, president of the Ile-de-France region, said more than one-third of the 468 schools across the region were expected to remain closed on Monday.
Students accuse authorities of excessive force
At a gathering in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, students spoke publicly about their experiences during the demonstrations and criticised the police response.
Some protesters alleged that young demonstrators had been injured during clashes with security forces. One student referred to cases involving serious facial and eye injuries, while 16-year-old Campion carried a sign accusing authorities of ignoring students while using force against them.
He questioned why such a large security presence was being deployed against young people protesting about education and their future.
The government, however, has argued that the situation has been complicated by violent groups joining the demonstrations. Geffray accused far-left activists of taking over parts of the movement and turning some protests violent.
According to the minister, 78 education workers have been injured during the unrest. He said some staff members had been attacked specifically because they worked within the national education system.
Government announces measures
With demonstrations expected to continue, Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu announced steps aimed at responding to some of the complaints raised by students.
Local authorities have been instructed to give priority to filling vacancies and addressing staffing shortages caused by long-term absences. Lecornu has also scheduled talks with regional presidents on Tuesday to examine the condition of school buildings and discuss improvements to facilities.
The measures have so far failed to convince protest organisers, who say the government has yet to offer enough concrete action to resolve their concerns. Demonstration leaders have therefore urged students to remain mobilised.
Arrests rise as protests turn violent
The scale of the unrest has also triggered a major police response. More than 5,000 people have reportedly been arrested since the movement began, with minors accounting for about 85 percent of those detained.
In the southern town of La Ciotat, police detained a 16-year-old on Sunday in connection with an attack on a teacher. The 59-year-old teacher was allegedly struck and had gasoline poured over them during a protest outside a high school on Friday.
Another incident that drew widespread condemnation occurred in Belfort, where footage showed several young people attacking a police officer who was on the ground. Two Bulgarian teenagers, aged 15 and 17, were arrested and placed under investigation over allegations of aggravated violence.
One of the teenagers, who had reportedly been targeted for arrest before the confrontation, has since filed a complaint alleging attempted murder through his lawyer.
Rights groups criticise police response
The government’s handling of the demonstrations has also come under scrutiny from rights organisations.
Amnesty International’s French branch accused authorities of using disproportionate force and stressed that students should be able to demonstrate and express their concerns without intimidation.
The organisation called on authorities to ensure that young protesters could exercise their rights without being subjected to tear gas, batons or what it described as arbitrary detention.
Interior Minister Laurent Nunez rejected the suggestion that security forces were targeting young people. He said police were instead attempting to protect students and others who wanted to participate in demonstrations peacefully.
With another major mobilisation planned for Tuesday, France now faces a difficult balance between keeping schools and communities safe and responding to growing demands from students who say their education system is failing them.
