France partially or fully closed more than 500 schools on Monday as student protests over education conditions continued, with organizers calling for nationwide action on Tuesday.
Education Minister Edouard Geffray said classes were suspended at about 400 to 500 high schools because safety conditions had not been met. He said 24 schools had been burned or ransacked since the protests began. Demonstrators have cited class sizes, teacher shortages and a need for greater education investment. The Union Syndicale Lycéenne said the government had offered “nothing concrete,” while the prime minister said measures had been announced to address demands.
The BBC reported at least 190 students had been injured and more than 5,000 people arrested during a week of demonstrations. It also reported one student lost a hand during a confrontation on Monday. Protest organizers urged supporters to join further demonstrations Tuesday.