France student protests turn violent; 5,000 arrested as unrest spreads across the country

Paris: Nationwide protests by high-school students in France have escalated into violent clashes, with Paris Police Chief Patrice Faure saying the demonstrations were “out of control” and urging students to return to peaceful protests, according to media reports. 

Riot police clashed with students in several cities on Friday as demonstrations over overcrowded classrooms, teacher shortages, deteriorating school buildings and inadequate education funding continued to spread.

About 5,000 people, most of them teenagers, have been arrested across France since Monday, according to the latest figures cited by Reuters. More than 600 police officers have been injured, while teachers and members of the public have also been affected by the unrest. Property damage has been estimated at tens of millions of euros.

The protests have spread to more than 1,200 schools across the country. Students have raised concerns over overcrowded classrooms, shortages of teachers and other staff, poor school infrastructure, long school hours and wider anxieties about their educational prospects.

The movement began among students in disadvantaged suburbs around Paris before spreading to other parts of the country.

Education spending under scrutiny

The protests have also intensified concerns over government spending on education. Reuters reported that the government's proposed 2027 budget provides for a 1.7 per cent increase in education spending, below the rate of inflation.

Students and teachers say years of inadequate investment have contributed to staff shortages, overcrowding and deteriorating school facilities.

Teachers' unions have also called for strike action, adding to pressure on President Emmanuel Macron's government.

Faure said those who initially started the protests no longer appeared to be in control of the movement. He urged parents to discourage young people from taking part in violent actions and warned that authorities would respond firmly to vandalism and violence.

Security officials have also raised concerns that far-left anarchist groups could take advantage of the unrest.

More protests planned

Student unions have called for nationwide demonstrations on Tuesday, prompting concerns among security officials about further violence, particularly in central Paris.

Authorities have warned that large organised gatherings could create opportunities for violent groups to become involved.

Despite the violence accompanying some of the demonstrations, students and their supporters continue to focus on education-related grievances, calling for better staffing, improved facilities and greater government investment.

The unrest poses a growing challenge for Macron's government, which is under pressure to address the students' concerns while restoring order and preventing further disruption to schools.

The government has acknowledged the legitimacy of some of the students' demands but has condemned violence and vandalism.