Students are demanding smaller class sizes, increased funding, and solutions for teacher absences and decaying buildings. The wave of unrest has previously disrupted 735 high schools, with police using tear gas to disperse crowds in cities nationwide. On October 2, arson attacks damaged the Francois Rabelais school and several parked vehicles in Metz.
Wednesday, October 21, 2026
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France Shuts 413 High Schools in Student Funding Protest Wave
World16 days ago
Nearly 1,750 people were arrested and 78 people were injured as demonstrations for better school facilities spread across France. The education ministry reported that lessons were suspended at 413 high schools on Monday, slightly under a previous estimate of up to 500 closures. A total of 24 schools have been burned or ransacked since the protest movement began.
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