FRENCH STUDENT PROTESTS SPREAD AS UNIONS BACK NATIONWIDE ACTION

Nearly 5,000 people, mostly teenagers, have been arrested in France amid nationwide student protests over school conditions, teacher shortages and overcrowding.

The protests, which began in late September, have spread to several cities, with hundreds of schools affected or closed as students demand improvements to education facilities and staffing.

French Education Minister Édouard Geffray said about 400 to 500 of the country’s 3,700 schools were affected by the protests. Authorities have also reported damage to some schools and injuries among education workers.

The demonstrations are expected to expand on Tuesday, with student organisations calling for nationwide protests and trade unions expressing support for the action.

The CGT union has backed the students and criticised the government’s response, while authorities have urged protesters to remain peaceful.

The unrest comes as the French government works on its 2027 budget and seeks to reduce the country’s deficit.

Officials have warned that the protests could cause further disruption, while the government has said it recognises concerns about school staffing, facilities and classroom conditions.

The protests have raised wider concerns about education funding and the conditions faced by students and teachers across France.