France to Close Up to 500 High Schools Monday Over Safety Fears

Between 400 and 500 French high schools will be fully or partially closed Monday due to unmet safety conditions, the National Education Ministry announced ahead of a new week of protests and blockades. An initial estimate shows 24 schools were set on fire or vandalized. Education Minister Édouard Geffray said 78 education staff members have been injured since the events began, with far-left activists infiltrating and diverting the student movement. Friday saw over 1,700 arrests, mostly minors, and more than 300 police and gendarmes injured. Student demands include more resources, better school conditions, less crowded classes, and a lighter curriculum. The protest movement began September 17 in the Paris region and has spread to hundreds of schools, with Tuesday expected to bring a "third act" of massive national demonstrations.