About 400 schools and educational institutions across France are expected to remain closed on Friday. This comes as France student protests over conditions in the education system escalate.
According to Reuters, the demonstrations began over teacher shortages and deteriorating school buildings. However, these France student protests have increasingly involved clashes, fires and arrests as they spread across the country.
“There are a little over 400 schools and other educational establishments that I know of that will be closed,” Education Minister Edouard Geffray said.
Schools set ablaze
Student protesters started fires at at least two high schools on Thursday. Meanwhile, teachers at another school in Marseille were accidentally splashed with petrol.
A vehicle was also set on fire in Strasbourg, showing the extent of the France student protests taking place in various cities.
Riot police confronted young protesters in Toulouse as authorities struggled to contain disturbances in several cities.
Hundreds arrested
The protests began in the Paris region last month before spreading nationwide. Many observers are discussing the impact of the France student protests on the broader educational landscape.
French authorities say dozens of people have suffered injuries while police have made hundreds of arrests.
Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin said authorities now view some incidents as public-order disturbances rather than ordinary student demonstrations.
Officials have also traded accusations over whether political groups helped fuel the unrest. Members of the left-wing La France Insoumise have rejected claims that they were behind the protests.
