France Shuts Hundreds of Schools as Student Protests Escalate

Mon Oct 05 2026 07:52:25 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Up to 500 French schools were set to close amid clashes between riot police and students over teacher shortages, overcrowding, and vandalism.

On Monday, France prepared to shut between 400 and 500 secondary schools after weeks of violent protests. Students have demanded more teachers, cleaner facilities and better learning conditions, while the education ministry cited security concerns and damaged premises. Police and justice officials report 1,747 arrests so far, with 5,000 detained in total, most of them minors. The government claims it is accelerating reforms, including a review of the “vandal‑pays” bill, but protesters accuse it of inaction. Tensions remain high, with the potential for further closures of schools and disruptions to the academic calendar.

France announced that up to 500 secondary schools would be closed on Monday following a wave of violent protests by high‑school students nationwide.

Education Minister Édouard Geffray said that lessons would be *totally or partly suspended* in some 400‑500 schools because the security situation was unsatisfactory. He added that 24 schools had already been burned or ransacked, with 78 staff members injured – a level of violence he described as unprecedented.

The demonstrations began last week in Paris and have spread to cities such as Montpellier, Nantes and Marseille. Students are demanding additional teachers, less crowded classrooms, refurbished buildings and more concrete government action.

French Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin announced that 735 of the country’s 3,700 schools had been affected in one way or another by violence. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said the government was taking further steps to keep classes running, improve facilities, streamline the school day and increase transparency on university admission.

The government has also accelerated a review of a "vandal‑pays" bill aimed at ensuring those responsible for damage shoulder the cost. Organisers of the protests, however, insist that the government’s promises are not enough and are planning to continue demonstrations.

Authorities have recorded 1,747 arrests on Friday alone, bringing the total since the start of the movement to more than 5,000, with roughly 85% of those detained being minors, according to AFP.