France to close up to 500 schools as student unrest continues

French education authorities announced that up to 500 secondary schools across the country will be either closed or operating with reduced in-person teaching on Monday, as the government seeks to manage ongoing student demonstrations.

Education minister Édouard Geffray said the decision responds to deteriorating security at some campuses since protests began last month. According to Geffray, 24 schools have been either set on fire or damaged in ransackings, and 78 school staff members have been hurt during the unrest.

What authorities said

Officials described the measure as a temporary suspension or limitation of classes in affected schools when security conditions cannot be guaranteed. Multiple outlets reported the figure as up to 500 schools; one source put the number in a slightly narrower range of 400 to 500.

The closures follow several days of confrontations between student demonstrators and riot police, which have at times turned violent. Reports say clashes have occurred in multiple locations as students protested a government policy that has become a focal point of wider dissent.

Why it matters

The suspension of lessons at such a large number of schools interrupts education for thousands of pupils and raises concerns about both safety and the wider social impact of the protests. School staff injuries and damage to buildings have increased pressure on local authorities to take precautionary steps, while the scale of closures shows the unrest has affected ordinary civic functions beyond the demonstrations themselves.

Broader context

Student protests began last month and have involved demonstrations at many secondary schools and in public spaces. Police responses have included deployments of riot units; media reports note exchanges of force between students and officers in recent days. The education ministry’s move to restrict access to classrooms is intended to reduce the potential for further clashes and property damage.

What comes next

Authorities have framed the closures as temporary and tied to immediate security assessments at each site. It remains unclear from the reports how long the measures will stay in place or what steps will be taken to reopen affected schools. Government and local education officials will review conditions before deciding on further actions.

The situation is developing, and several outlets covering the story cited the education minister’s figures on damage and injuries. Further updates are expected as assessments continue and authorities respond to evolving local conditions.