Widespread high school blockades affect over five hundred schools across France
More than 560 French secondary schools have faced blockades or disruptions since the morning, according to the education ministry.
The French education ministry confirmed that actions and disruptions have affected a substantial number of high schools across the country since the start of the day. Minister Edouard Geffray had earlier said that nearly 400 schools were shut, prompting many to move lessons online. In the Paris region, 55 schools saw violent clashes, vandalism and fires, with an employee receiving medical aid after an incident at a Paris lycée. Regional president Valérie Pécresse estimated damages at around one million euros.
Additionally, the prefect of Meurthe-et-Moselle authorized drone footage to monitor protests in Nancy, citing public safety concerns. The minister is scheduled to meet with student unions, parent associations and other stakeholder groups throughout the day.
Why it matters
The widespread school disruptions highlight growing unrest among French students and pose challenges for the education system.
How this story developed
- Sep 28 Education Minister urges calm as high-school blockades turn violent in Île-de-France
- Sep 28 Ministers issued a warning that police will intervene if the blockades become violent.
- Sep 29 Around ten Paris high schools faced blockage attempts on Tuesday with no reported violence or injuries.
- Sep 30 Authorities reported 440 arrests and 76 injuries as blockades spread to hundreds of schools.
- Oct 1 Arrests rose to 625 and a fire broke out at the Nelson‑Mandela lycée in Nantes.
- Oct 1 Mass arrests were made during French school demonstrations, with hundreds of police and gendarmes injured and many schools closed.
- Oct 2 Prime minister Sébastien Lecornu convened a crisis meeting in response to the escalating protests.
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