Hundreds of French schools shut as student demonstrations escalate into violence

Close to 400 educational institutions across France are scheduled to stay closed on Friday, following the escalation of student demonstrations that originated in the Paris region late last month. What began as calls for improved school conditions have increasingly turned violent as the movement spread nationwide.

Education Minister Édouard Geffray confirmed the closures in an interview with France 2 late Thursday, stating he was aware of just over 400 schools and educational facilities that would not open. The demonstrators are rallying against chronic teacher shortages and the deteriorating state of school infrastructure.

Tensions rose significantly on Thursday with several incidents reported across the country. In the southern city of Marseille, petrol was accidentally thrown onto teachers at one high school, while separate fires were ignited in at least two other schools. In Strasbourg, located in the east, authorities reported that a vehicle was set ablaze, and riot police engaged in confrontations with young protesters in Toulouse in the southwest.

The situation has resulted in hundreds of arrests and dozens of injuries among both officers and demonstrators. In response to the unrest, some cities have suspended public transportation services.

Political blame has already been exchanged regarding the origins of the unrest. A source close to Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu indicated that intelligence agencies shared information during a Thursday crisis meeting suggesting the protests were instigated by politicians from the hard left, specifically naming members of the France Unbowed (LFI) party. Louis Boyard, an LFI lawmaker, rejected these allegations in statements to French media outlets.