France to close up to 500 schools on Monday as student protests spread and clashes with police intensify
Europe
France will partially or fully close around 400 to 500 high schools on Monday because authorities say security conditions are not sufficient for classes to continue.
The protests began over teacher shortages, overcrowded classrooms and deteriorating school buildings and have since spread from the Paris region to cities including Montpellier, Nantes and Marseille.
France’s education minister said 24 schools have been burned or ransacked since the unrest began.
Thousands of students have joined the demonstrations, while the government says it is taking steps to address grievances raised by students and education staff.
Protest organizers, however, have called for further demonstrations on Tuesday.
