French Student Protests Over School Conditions Spread Nationwide

Widespread student protests over poor conditions in French high schools have forced over 500 schools to close, with nearly 3,000 arrests and hundreds of injuries reported since the unrest began nearly two weeks ago. The demonstrations, which started at a school near Paris in late September, have spread nationwide, driven by complaints about teacher shortages, inadequate funding, and dilapidated facilities. Violent clashes with police have injured 170 students, 65 staff, and nearly 400 officers, with fires set at several schools. Education Minister Édouard Geffray has initiated dialogue with unions and student groups, but organizers have called for continued protests, citing a lack of concrete government measures. Officials have urged parents to keep children home, while President Emmanuel Macron condemned the violence.