French student protests spread to hundreds of schools

Teenage students across France have staged protests and blockades at hundreds of schools, leading to over 5,000 arrests since Monday. The government has condemned the violence while acknowledging some grievances, and authorities have accused the radical left of fueling the movement. The protests began on September 17 at a high school in Créteil supporting striking teachers over staff shortages, then spread nationwide, reaching about 735 schools by Friday. Students complain about teacher absences, poor classroom conditions, and long school days from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Social media, particularly TikTok, has amplified the movement with viral videos of clashes, while critics accuse police of excessive force against minors. The unrest has gained political significance ahead of presidential elections, with far-left candidate Jean-Luc Mélenchon supporting the protests.