France Student Protests: Nearly 500 Schools Closed, 5,000 Arrested

Nearly 500 schools in France remained closed Monday due to ongoing student protests over teacher shortages and poor infrastructure, with over 5,000 people arrested since the movement began. The protests started September 17 at a Paris school and have spread nationwide, with 24 schools damaged and 78 staff injured. The government announced measures to improve conditions and accelerate a "vandal-pays" law for damage compensation. Organizers called for continued demonstrations Tuesday, accusing the government of lacking concrete responses. Authorities claim far-left activists have infiltrated the movement, while officials promise a gradual return to classes.