PARIS – Nearly 900 schools across France have been shut down as demonstrations by high school students over deteriorating facilities and staff shortages escalated into sporadic violence, the international media reported on Wednesday.
The violent protests led to hundreds of arrests and an emergency response from President Emmanuel Macron.
The protests, which began in late September, have seen students aged between 15 and 17 block the entrances of hundreds of schools. Parents, teachers and trade union members have since joined the demonstrations in Paris and several other cities.
The Interior Ministry estimated that around 256,000 people took part in nationwide protests, while trade unions put the turnout at about 450,000.
Authorities said at least 488 people were arrested during Tuesday’s unrest, while 43 security personnel were injured. The clashes have prompted criticism from rights groups, unions and student representatives, who accused police of using excessive force.
The unrest has also raised concerns over the conduct of law enforcement. A teenager reportedly lost a hand on Monday after a stun grenade was fired by police. In another incident, a 14-year-old student in northwestern Paris suffered serious facial injuries after being struck at close range by a tear gas grenade, resulting in the loss of several teeth.
A police officer was charged on Tuesday in connection with the incident involving the teenager.
Macron was expected to convene senior government officials, including Interior Minister Laurent Nunez and Education Minister Edouard Geffray, to discuss the escalating situation and measures to restore order.
US President Donald Trump also commented on the unrest, attributing the turmoil to what he described as mass migration and Islam. His remarks came as he continues to promote a hard-line immigration agenda ahead of the US midterm elections. Trump’s Islamophobic comment hurt millions of Muslims across the globe.
The protests have focused primarily on complaints about deteriorating school buildings, inadequate facilities and shortages of teachers, with demonstrators demanding improvements to the education system.
