Up to 500 schools set to close in France as student protests spread
France's education minister says as many as 500 schools could shut on Monday as student protests over education conditions continue to spread nationwide. The movement began at a single Paris school in mid-September and expanded into a countrywide wave last week.
French Education Minister Édouard Geffray has said that up to 500 schools across France could be closed on Monday as student protests continue to gain momentum nationwide.
The protest movement began on September 17 at a single school in Paris but expanded significantly last week, turning into a nationwide phenomenon affecting schools across the country. Students in various cities have blocked entrances to their schools as part of the demonstrations.
What students are protesting
The protests center on three main grievances: high rates of teacher absenteeism, excessively long school days, and the deteriorating physical condition of school buildings. Students argue these issues are undermining the quality of education and daily conditions at schools.
One notable flashpoint was a blockade at the Lycée Jules Ferry in Paris on October 1, where students gathered to voice their demands, drawing media attention to the broader movement.
The scale of closures expected for Monday — up to 500 schools — suggests the protests are intensifying rather than winding down, nearly three weeks after they first erupted. It remains unclear what specific measures, if any, the government plans to take in response to the students' concerns.
The disruption highlights longstanding tensions within the French education system over staffing shortages and infrastructure investment, though a student mobilization of this scale is unusual.
