Hundreds of French high schools shut as protests persist
Summary
Hundreds of French high schools were shut on Monday as students protested poor learning conditions, teacher shortages and dilapidated buildings. The unrest has spread across France, with authorities reporting vandalism, arrests and plans for new measures on school repairs and accountability.
Key Points
- Lessons were suspended at up to 500 of France's 3,700 high schools as student protests over learning conditions continued.
- Students are demanding action on teacher absences, overcrowded timetables, poor facilities and schools ill-adapted to rising temperatures.
- The protests have spread nationwide and turned violent in some places, with vandalism, clashes with police and more than 5,000 arrests reported.
- Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu is proposing measures on teacher gaps, school repairs and liability for damaged public property.
