Thousands of students, teachers and parents have taken to the streets across France as a growing protest movement over school conditions intensified on Tuesday, with hundreds of high schools blocked or closed.
France’s Interior Ministry said about 86,000 people took part in demonstrations outside Paris during the morning, while thousands more were expected to join protests in the capital later in the day. Demonstrations were reported in cities including Marseille, Nantes, Lyon and Strasbourg.
The protests began in the Paris region in September before spreading across the country. Students have complained about shortages of teachers, overcrowded classrooms, long school days and deteriorating school buildings.
The National Union of High School Students said around 1,800 of France’s 3,700 high schools were blockaded or closed on Tuesday. The Education Ministry separately reported that classes were fully or partially suspended at 891 schools.
Some demonstrations remained peaceful, with students and supporters carrying placards calling for greater investment in education. However, protests in several cities became tense, with police using tear gas and protesters setting fires or throwing objects.
The Interior Ministry said more than 6,100 people had been arrested since the protests began, with the overwhelming majority being minors. More than 1,800 people are facing prosecution, according to the Justice Ministry.
The police response has also become a major point of controversy. Rights groups and student representatives have accused authorities of using excessive force, while government officials have defended the police response and said some demonstrations have been overtaken by violence.
The unrest has added pressure on the French government as it attempts to address concerns over public spending and education funding. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has instructed ministers to work on issues raised by students, including teacher shortages, school infrastructure and the length of the school day.
The Education Ministry has also opened an online platform where high school students can anonymously report problems at their schools and suggest changes.
With demonstrations continuing and further protests expected, the government faces growing demands to improve school conditions while maintaining public order. The scale of Tuesday’s protests marks a significant escalation of the movement, which has now spread well beyond the Paris region.