Protests by high school students demanding school lockdowns have spread across France. In just one day, 1,949 people were arrested, and 305 police officers were injured.
According to the French Ministry of the Interior, protests occurred at approximately 1,027 of the 3,700 high schools nationwide on October 1, with 222 schools locked down. Incidents of arson involving trash cans and property damage were reported, and public transportation was halted in some cities. The protests have also spread to universities, with around 30 institutions reportedly locked down.
Laurent Nuñez, the Minister of the Interior, announced on October 2 that more than 400 schools are expected to close. He urged parents not to send their children to protests under the current circumstances.
Clashes continued the previous day, with Nuñez stating that 356 schools were affected on September 30, and a total of 625 individuals have been arrested since the protests began. On that day alone, 83 police and gendarmes were injured.
Édouard Philippe, the Minister of Education, reported that since the protests began, 119 people have been injured, including 34 staff members.
The protests began on September 21 in Créteil, located in the Val-de-Marne department near Paris, and have since spread nationwide. Students are demanding repairs to aging school facilities and increased staffing. Complaints about overcrowded classrooms and inadequate cooling in classrooms during the summer have also accumulated.
The demands are linked to austerity measures. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has decided to freeze government spending, excluding defense, at 2026 levels through 2027, aiming to save approximately 1.5 billion euros.
The radical left party, La France Insoumise (LFI), has supported the protests, which have grown nationwide. The government claims that the radical left organized the protests, while LFI denies this, citing its commitment to non-violence. Nuñez criticized the current situation as closer to violence than a legitimate expression of rights.
Nuñez announced plans to establish a body to consult with students. Philippe acknowledged that some demands are valid and plans to meet with student and parent organizations on October 2. The police internal affairs unit has launched three investigations into incidents where students were injured during the lockdowns.
Unions are demanding significant increases in financial support for high schools and universities, with a general assembly and protests planned for October 6. France is approaching the presidential election scheduled for April 2027.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.