French School Protests Spread, Arrests Near 5,000

Student protests over overcrowded classrooms, teacher shortages, deteriorating buildings and school funding began in mid-September and have spread nationwide into a second week. Classes were expected to be fully or partly suspended in 400 to 500 secondary schools on Monday as demonstrations involving blockades and clashes with police continued; officials reported nearly 5,000 arrests and school damage, while reports of injuries ranged from dozens of education staff to hundreds of police and protesters. Student representatives said the government had offered no concrete action, and unions backed renewed demonstrations planned for Tuesday. Authorities warned that violent groups had infiltrated the protests and said police would act against vandalism, while protesters and critics questioned the force used by security services. The unrest has intensified pressure on President Emmanuel Macron’s government amid concerns about inequality and school underinvestment, as a draft 2027 budget proposed education spending increases below inflation.