French protests over school inequality lead to over 5,000 arrests

French police detained over 5,000 people during nationwide high school student protests sparked by poor school conditions, overcrowded classrooms, and chronic teacher shortages. The protests began in poor Paris suburbs and spread to cities including Marseille, Strasbourg, Tours, and Lille, involving students from over 1,200 high schools. Police used tear gas and rubber bullets in some clashes, causing injuries including eye damage and concussions. Students cite class inequality, racism, and insufficient investment in suburban education, demanding equal rights with other regions. Unions report two-thirds of schools in Seine-Saint-Denis have unfilled teacher vacancies, blaming government cuts of 3,256 teachers nationwide in 2026.