French student unions call for new protests as school closures persist

French student protests are expected to reignite on Tuesday, with nationwide demonstrations planned after a weekend lull. Up to 500 high schools remain fully or partially closed on Monday due to unmet safety requirements, according to Education Minister Édouard Geffray. The protests began September 17 in Créteil and spread nationwide, with thousands of teenagers demonstrating over teacher shortages, dilapidated buildings, and overcrowded classrooms. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced new measures Sunday, but student unions dismissed them as insufficient and have called for rallies in 33 cities. Over 5,000 people have been arrested during the unrest, and hundreds have been injured in clashes with riot police. The government has accused far-left activists of infiltrating the movement, while a 15-year-old student in Lens reportedly lost a hand to a police stun grenade.