France – 500 schools closed, clashes with police and dozens injured

The massive student protests in France have entered their second week, because of the dilapidated state of schools and classrooms, overcrowding and a shortage of teachers, as Reuters reported.

The protests and school blockades show the strong social tensions in France, while the government is trying to adopt the budget for 2027, aiming to reduce the deficit.

Last week, the interest on French 10-year bonds briefly exceeded 5%, the highest level since 2002, increasing investors’ concerns about the country’s financial situation.

The Minister of Education, Edouard Geffray, said last night that 400 to 500 high schools, out of a total of around 3,700 in the country, would be fully or partially closed.

The protests started at the end of September at a high school in the outskirts of Paris, because of a shortage of teachers, and then spread throughout France.

“Our priority is the return of order,” declared the government spokeswoman, Maud Bregeon.

According to Minister Geffray, since the start of the protests, 24 schools have been burned or seriously damaged, while 78 members of the teaching staff have been injured.

Clashes between police and students

French media reported today on clashes between police and students in Lille, while in Toulouse tear gas was used.

Since last Monday, around 5,000 people, mainly young people, have been arrested across the country.

Dozens of people have been injured, while attacks on teachers and citizens have been reported. Material damages are estimated at tens of millions of euros.

The French government has announced that it will speed up the review of a draft law in parliament on October 27, which envisages that persons who damage property during protests will be financially responsible for the damages.

The Paris police chief, Patrice Faure, called on students to stop the school blockades and to hold peaceful protests. He said that the initial organizers of the protests no longer have control over the developments.

However, student unions have called for protests to be held tomorrow throughout France.

Security authorities fear that the protests, mainly in central Paris, may be accompanied by further violence and that far-left groups and anarchists may try to take them over.