Fires and blockades as students stage school protests across France

Students in France began protesting last week over classroom overcrowding, teacher shortages, and poor building conditions. On September 29, more than 400 people, mostly minors, were detained across the country during these protests; 164 people were arrested earlier on Monday. Clashes between protesters and law enforcement led to injuries for both sides—48 police officers were injured—and some students set fires to bins or threw projectiles at officers.

In one incident in Marseille, a school principal was doused with petrol while another head teacher suffered ear injuries from fireworks. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu warned against further escalations and criticized protesters for their violent actions but acknowledged that the grievances were legitimate according to some unions defending students' rights. The education minister announced up to 500 schools would close on Monday as a security measure ahead of planned large-scale protests scheduled for Tuesday.

The protests have spread rapidly beyond Paris, affecting numerous cities including Marseille and Nantes, with demonstrations now involving university students facing similar issues.