French student protests disrupt classes at hundreds of high schools

French high-school students continued protests over learning conditions on Monday, disrupting lessons at hundreds of schools across France, with more than 400 of the country's 3,700 lycees partially or fully closed. The movement, which began September 17, involves complaints about teacher absences, overloaded timetables, and dilapidated buildings. Authorities have arrested over 5,000 people, mostly minors, while 24 schools have been burned or ransacked, and police face allegations of disproportionate force. The government plans a bill making vandals' families pay for damages, drawing criticism from union leaders who call it populist. Larger demonstrations are expected Tuesday, ahead of next year's elections.