French student protests turn violent with 5,000 arrests nationwide

Violent protests by French high-school students have escalated nationwide, with about 5,000 people arrested and over 600 police officers injured since Monday, according to Reuters. Paris Police Chief Patrice Faure called the demonstrations "out of control" and urged a return to peaceful action. The unrest began in disadvantaged suburbs around Paris and has spread to more than 1,200 schools, driven by grievances over overcrowded classrooms, teacher shortages, poor infrastructure, and inadequate funding. The government's proposed 2027 budget includes only a 1.7% education spending increase, below inflation, intensifying criticism. Teachers' unions have called for strikes, and student unions plan more nationwide demonstrations on Tuesday, raising fears of further violence. Authorities warn far-left anarchist groups may exploit the unrest, while the government acknowledges some demands' legitimacy but condemns vandalism.