French high school closures spread as student protests over conditions continue

Hundreds of French high schools suspended lessons Monday amid ongoing student protests over learning conditions, with up to 500 of 3,700 lycees expected closed and larger demonstrations planned Tuesday. Students have blocked school entrances since late September, citing teacher shortages, overloaded timetables, and dilapidated buildings. The government accuses hard-left activists of hijacking the movement, while 24 schools have been burned or ransacked and over 5,000 people arrested. Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu urged local authorities to fill teacher gaps and proposed a bill making vandals pay for repairs from family allowances. Union leader Sophie Binet criticized the measure as populist, targeting vulnerable families.