Schools in France Remain Closed Amid Ongoing Student Protests

More than 500 schools across France were partially or completely closed on Monday as the country braces for another round of potentially violent student protests this week.

On Sunday, Education Minister Édouard Geffray explained that the closures were necessary because these schools did not currently meet safety standards following last week’s chaotic protests, which were reportedly fueled by far-left groups.

Geffray noted that around 24 schools had been set on fire or vandalized during the protests, with at least 78 members of the French Ministry of National Education sustaining injuries. He emphasized that the decision to close the schools was a precautionary measure in light of renewed calls for protests on Tuesday, October 6.

“Clearly, this poses a risk to both our staff and our students,” he remarked.

Reports from the Paris Police indicated that the protests were instigated by far-left organizations, such as La France Insoumise, led by Jean-Luc Mélenchon, and the Young Revolutionary Communists. The protests resulted in over 5,000 arrests, with a significant majority—around 85 percent—being minors under 18 years old.

The protests began on September 17, when students initially advocated peacefully for improved conditions and resources in French schools. However, things escalated quickly, leading to widespread violence across Paris and other cities, marked by numerous incidents of arson, vandalism, and blockades of school facilities.

French government officials have accused La France Insoumise and similar far-left groups of taking advantage of the protests and transforming them into violent confrontations. Minister Geffray reiterated claims that these groups had “hijacked” the protests to engage in “extreme violence.”

While the weekend saw a relative calm, the French Education Ministry reported by Monday noon that 413 educational institutions still faced various disruptions. This number reflects a 27 percent decrease from the disruptions noted on the previous Friday.

On Sunday, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu unveiled a “roadmap” aimed at addressing the issues raised by the protesting students, particularly the concerning teacher shortages. He called for local authorities to step up in providing necessary support.

However, protest organizers have criticized this response as lacking sufficient “concrete measures,” prompting them to plan for the upcoming demonstrations on Tuesday.