Student protests spread to over 350 schools across France

Student protests in France continue to expand, affecting 356 schools on Wednesday, September 30, up from 338 the day before, according to Interior Minister Laurent Nunez. Since the unrest began, 625 people have been detained, while 83 police officers and gendarmes have been injured.

France's Education Ministry reported that 119 students and 34 school staff members have been hurt since the protests began last week. Education Minister Edouard Geffray described the situation as unprecedented in the education sector. France has roughly 3,700 schools in total.

The demonstrations started in the Île-de-France region around Paris but quickly spread nationwide. High school students are protesting overcrowded classrooms, teacher shortages, poor condition of school buildings, and what they consider an overloaded class schedule.

In several major cities, the protests have escalated into clashes with police. In some cases, young demonstrators used firebombs and stones, while police responded with tear gas.

French President Emmanuel Macron said he understands the fears and anger of many young people, but stressed that none of these grievances justify violence. The government announced it would set up a consultation platform where students can voice their concerns and demands, to launch no later than October 6, after which authorities plan a nationwide review of the situation. The education minister urged that students must return to classes "at any cost."

The left-populist party France Unbowed supports the student protest movement, though its leader, Jean-Luc Melenchon, has called for nonviolent forms of protest.