24 schools torched or trashed amid protests across France
France's education minister says 24 schools have been torched or vandalized during ongoing protests, with 400 to 500 schools fully or partially closed. At least 78 education staff have been injured.
French National Education Minister Edouard Geffray summarized a week marked by violence and widespread vandalism at lycées across France during a debate with Manuel Bompard, national coordinator of the France Unbowed movement.
According to the minister, between 400 and 500 educational institutions will be fully or partially closed. At least 24 of them have been set on fire or destroyed amid the unrest.
Closures and injuries
Geffray said that between 400 and 500 schools suspended classes on Friday, and a similar number are expected to remain closed on Monday, though with a gradual, partial resumption of lessons. The minister also reported that 78 education workers have been injured since the protests began.
Origins of the unrest
The protests, which erupted in the Paris region last month, are driven by a shortage of teachers and the poor condition of school buildings. The unrest has since spread nationwide and grown increasingly violent, leaving dozens injured and leading police to detain hundreds of people. On Friday, October 2, hundreds of schools closed amid protests by secondary school students. Protesters plan to resume rallies starting Tuesday, October 6.
