Student protests force closures at 500 French schools

Student protests across France will cause full or partial closures at up to 500 schools on Monday, according to Education Minister Edouard Geffray, citing unmet safety conditions. Geffray said 24 schools have been burned or ransacked since the movement began, and 78 education staff have been injured. The closures are preventive measures ahead of a planned mass protest on Tuesday. The protests, started September 17 over teacher shortages, long hours, and aging facilities, have led to over 5,000 arrests, 85% of them minors. Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu announced a timetable to address staffing and building issues.