Hundreds of schools in France are closed as students continue to protest about a lack of teachers, overcrowded classrooms and run-down buildings
The protests started earlier this week in France’s capital Paris before spreading throughout the country
Education minister Edouard Geffray told French media that 65 school staff have been injured, including 40 head teachers
He added that 1,949 people were arrested on Thursday alone
Some of the violence and damage has been truly shocking, with teenagers suffering eye injuries and one losing his teeth, writes our digital Europe editor
University students have also joined the demonstrations, citing similar concerns and demands
French Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin has said there is an “active and violent minority” taking part in the protests.
“We’re not entirely sure that they are even high school students themselves,” he tells France’s RTL radio. He adds that two-thirds of the 2,000 people arrested since protests began have been placed in police custody.
“We have gone from high-school student demonstrations to a public order disturbance. When people target buses and set schools on fire, it is no longer simply a protest issue,” he adds.
