High school protests spark fires, violence across France

Over 400 schools in France were closed and held classes online Thursday as protests and violent incidents continued around the country. The demonstrations began last week in Paris and have spread to many areas. High school students and other young people appeared to make up the majority of the protesters, according to the Associated Press. Many said they were expressing grievances over a lack of resources and other problems with the education system. The national education budget for 2027, released this week, totaled $64 billion—more than France’s defense budget.

So far, 65 school staff members have been injured in the protests, including 40 principals, according to Education Minister Edouard Geffray. Several students were also injured, including one who lost some ability in a hand from firing a mortar, he said. Some school facilities were also severely damaged, he said.

Videos circulating on social media captured chaotic scenes: a store being looted, a burned bus and fire truck, throngs of young people breaking down doors and gates, and a large fire blazing at the entrance of a school. At one high school in Nantes, staff evacuated 160 boarding students after the entrance to the school was set on fire, according to Geffray. A video that appeared to show the school’s entrance captured debris falling amid a fierce blaze.

Police made more than 1,900 arrests on Thursday and have used tear gas and batons against crowds, according to the Associated Press. More than 300 officers were hurt, according to Interior Minister Laurent Nunez. It’s unclear how many protesters or rioters have been injured. A viral video appeared to show one police officer struggling with a high school student in a shallow creek. Opposition politician Jean-Luc Melenchon said outrage at police violence was widespread and that the government’s forceful response had escalated the situation. But the government did drop a plan to charge money for two-year vocational degrees as a result of the protests, he said.

Are high school students really behind everything that’s happening? Geffray said ultra-violent groups had hijacked the students’ movement and changed it, but didn’t clearly state who he believed those groups were. Videos circulating on social media showed some people draped in or waving Palestinian flags. It was unclear if rioters had any unified purpose or demand.

Geffray said he spent the week meeting with high school student council representatives as well as adult school officials. He planned to launch a national platform on Monday through which any high school student could send in reform proposals, he said.