France to close up to 500 high schools Monday after student protest clashes

France will close up to 500 high schools on Monday due to student protests, with lessons suspended after clashes between riot police and demonstrators, the education minister announced Sunday. Education minister Édouard Geffray said security conditions were unmet in 400 to 500 schools, and 24 schools had been burned or ransacked since protests began. Thousands of students are demonstrating over teacher shortages, overcrowded classrooms, and run-down buildings, with unrest spreading from Paris to cities like Montpellier, Nantes, and Marseille. Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin reported 735 of France's 3,700 schools affected by violence on Friday, with 1,747 arrests. Geffray blamed far-left activists for infiltrating the movement and said 78 education staff were wounded, calling it unprecedented. He promised a partial, progressive return to lessons.