France Closes 500 Schools After Student Protest Damage

Around 500 schools in France remained closed Monday due to damage from last week's student protests, announced Education Minister Édouard Geffray. The closures disrupted the return to classes nationwide. The protests, which began in Paris and spread to cities like Marseille, Nantes, and Montpellier, stem from student grievances over overcrowded classrooms, teacher shortages, and deteriorating school buildings. At least 24 institutions have been burned or devastated, with 78 school staff injured. Authorities report over 5,000 arrests, with 85% of detainees being minors. Protest organizers plan to continue demonstrations Tuesday, while the government prepares urgent measures, including a "who breaks, pays" law to hold vandals financially accountable.