Large student protests have spread across France as high school and university students demand more investment in public education. More than 500 schools were partially or fully closed on Monday, while 215 young people and 715 police officers have reportedly been injured and more than 6,000 people arrested during a week of unrest. Parents, union activists and teachers have also joined the demonstrations, with major unions calling for protests in Paris, Lyon, Marseille and other cities.
Tensions escalated after a student lost a hand during a confrontation with police in Lens on Monday. Another student, 14-year-old Eden, suffered serious facial injuries after reportedly being struck by a tear gas grenade the previous week. Education Minister Édouard Geffray expressed sympathy for the injured students but also condemned what he described as extreme violence within the protests. Student groups say the government has not offered enough concrete action.
The demonstrations began in September over overcrowded classrooms, deteriorating school buildings and teacher shortages. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has announced measures aimed at improving conditions, but organizers say they fall short of their demands. The protests have also become increasingly political, with the government and right-wing politicians accusing the far left of encouraging unrest, while left-wing leaders have criticized police tactics and defended the students’ right to demonstrate.
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