French high schools face third week of blockades as government fears national escalation

France faces a third week of high school blockades, with over 400 schools closed Monday despite Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu's call for classes to resume where security permits. The government fears a national escalation ahead of a major student mobilization planned for Tuesday. Education Minister Édouard Geffray confirmed 400-500 schools will have suspended classes, with 78 education staff injured since the protests began. More than 160 schools are closed in the Île-de-France region alone. The government is preparing a "casseurs-payeurs" law, to be examined October 27, that would hold group members financially responsible for damages. The movement, which began September 17, has spread nationwide with incidents of violence, including fires and attacks on firefighters. Student unions promise an "act III" Tuesday, with CGT support to secure demonstrations. Regional leaders criticize the government's response and planned budget cuts.