Archive · 5 Oct 2026
Up to 500 French Schools Face Closures as Protests Escalate
Students in France are protesting problems they say are affecting their education.
They point to missing teachers, long school days and school buildings that need attention.
The protests began at a school near Paris on September 17 and later spread across the country.
The education minister says 400 to 500 high schools may be partly or fully closed on Monday because of safety concerns.
Some protests have involved clashes and damage to schools and other property.
Officials report more than 5,000 arrests, most involving minors.
The education minister also reported injuries among school staff, and one report gave a figure for injured students.
Amnesty France says police have used excessive force, while the interior minister says officers are protecting peaceful students.
Student organizers say the government's proposals are not concrete enough and have called for more demonstrations on Tuesday.
Education Minister Edouard Geffray said classes could be fully or partly suspended in 400 to 500 high schools on Monday for security reasons.
The protests began at a school in the Paris region on September 17 and spread nationwide, with students citing teacher shortages, long school days and poor facilities.
Officials said more than 5,000 people had been arrested since the movement began, with minors accounting for 85 percent.
Geffray reported 78 injured education staff and 24 schools burned or ransacked; one report also cited at least 170 injured students.
Amnesty France criticized police conduct as disproportionate, while Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said officers protect peaceful protesters and intervene against violence.
- Who
- French high school students, education staff, government officials, police and protest organizers.
- What
- Student protests have spread across France, and 400 to 500 high schools may be fully or partly closed on Monday.
- When
- The movement began on September 17; the closures are expected Monday, ahead of demonstrations called for Tuesday.
- Where
- France, including the Paris region and towns such as La Ciotat and Belfort.
- Why
- Students cite teacher absences, long school days, staffing and resource shortages, and poor or unsafe facilities; officials cite security concerns for the closures.
Critics and protest organizers
Government and security officials
Police response
Critics and protest organizers
Amnesty France described police violence as disproportionate and said students should be able to express grievances without fear of tear gas, batons or arbitrary detention.
Government and security officials
Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said security forces protect students who wish to make demands peacefully and act against violence and damage.
Government measures
Critics and protest organizers
Student representatives and organizers said they had not received concrete measures and called for protests to continue.
Government and security officials
The government said it was pursuing steps on staffing, school facilities, school-day organization and admissions transparency.
Violence at protests
Critics and protest organizers
Students and rights advocates raised concerns about force used by police, including tear gas and batons.
Government and security officials
Geffray said far-left infiltrators had hijacked the movement and engaged in extreme violence that put students and staff at risk.
- Potential Monday closures
- Geffray said 400 to 500 high schools could have classes fully or partly suspended.
- Movement began
- September 17, at a school in the Paris region.
- Arrests
- More than 5,000 people had been arrested since the movement began; 85 percent were minors.
- School damage
- Geffray said 24 schools had been burned or ransacked.
- Reported injuries
- Geffray reported 78 injured education staff; one article also cited at least 170 injured students.
- Government proposals
- Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu outlined measures on staffing, school facilities, school-day organization and university admissions transparency.
- Next demonstrations
- Student groups and organizers called for larger demonstrations on Tuesday.
Sources
France shuts hundreds of schools ahead of Tuesday's student demonstrations, over 5,000 arrested
France School Protests Intensify, Up To 500 Secondary Schools Face Closures After Clashes & Damage
Student protests: Up to 500 schools face closures across France as conditions escalate
Hundreds of French Schools to Shut Monday as Student Protests Spread, Minister Blames Far-Left Infiltrators
