Nearly 400 high schools across France are expected to remain closed on Friday as student protests over long school hours, teacher shortages and poor learning conditions spread nationwide, with authorities reporting injuries and about 2,000 arrests.

The protests, which began in the Paris region last week, have expanded to several cities, with students blocking school entrances and clashing with police.

French Education Minister Édouard Geffray said nearly 400 of the country’s approximately 3,700 high schools were expected to be closed on Friday, October 2, as the government struggled to contain the unrest.

The demonstrations were initially organised to protest against overcrowded classrooms, inadequate school facilities, teacher shortages and lengthy school schedules.

Students have also complained about excessive workloads and overheated classrooms during recent heatwaves.

However, some demonstrations have escalated into violence, with protesters setting fires, throwing objects at police officers and damaging public property.

According to Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin, approximately 2,000 people have been taken into police custody since the protests began, with about 90 per cent of those arrested being minors.

Darmanin said the government was concerned that violent groups had taken advantage of the student demonstrations, turning some protests into public-order disturbances.

He also called on parents to discourage their children from participating in violent demonstrations and urged them to take responsibility for damage caused by their children.

At least 65 education workers, including 40 school principals, have been injured since the protests began, according to Geffray.

The unrest has also resulted in damage to school buildings and public infrastructure in several cities.

In Marseille, some teachers were accidentally splashed with petrol during an incident involving protesters, while fires were reported at schools in other parts of the country.

In Strasbourg, a vehicle was reportedly set ablaze, while clashes between young demonstrators and riot police also occurred in Toulouse.

The government has responded by increasing security measures and arranging remote learning in some affected schools to ensure students can continue their education.

Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu convened an emergency meeting on Thursday to address the growing unrest and directed ministers to prioritise the situation.

The government has also faced criticism over its handling of the protests, particularly the police response to school blockades.

Despite the violence, students have continued to demand improvements in the education system, including better staffing, improved school infrastructure and more manageable timetables.

The protests have also drawn attention to broader concerns about the quality of public education in France, with students arguing that overcrowded classrooms and inadequate resources are affecting their learning.

The demonstrations come amid wider public-sector discontent over the government’s proposed budget cuts for 2027.

Authorities have condemned violence and vandalism while acknowledging some of the students’ complaints about school conditions.

The French government is now facing pressure to address the students’ grievances while restoring order and ensuring that schools can resume normal operations.