Over 400 French Schools Close Amid Second Week of Student Protests

Authorities across France are preparing for a second consecutive week of student demonstrations, with over 400 educational institutions set to shut their doors on Monday. The closures reflect escalating tensions following a series of protests that began last week.

Education Minister Édouard Geffray announced on Sunday that between 400 and 500 schools would implement total or partial suspensions of lessons. Citing security conditions that have not been met, Geffray highlighted the severity of the situation, noting that at least 24 schools have been burned or ransacked since the unrest started.

The disruptions have also resulted in physical harm to educators, with 78 staff members reported injured during the current wave of demonstrations. As the government braces for continued activity, the scale of the closures underscores the significant impact the protests are having on the national education system.